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Effect of gallstone-dissolution therapy on human liver structure

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Abstract

To assess potential toxic effects liver biopsies were performed before and after 6–8 months therapy with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), 750 mg daily, in 6 patients with gallbladder stones. Minor fatty change and lipofuscin were seen prior to therapy, which tended to increase afterwards. Otherwise there was no consistent change on light microscopy. Electron microscopy showed parallel changes in the hepatocytes with no marked damage. There was a patchy loss of microvilli in the biliary epithelium. However, there was a significant increase in sinusoidal lipocytes or Ito cells, which was seen in every case. These 6 patients were representative of a group of 20 patients in whom serum liver function tests have been followed monthly for at least 6 months. During this period aspartate aminotransferase levels rose slightly but significantly, the mean remaining within the normal range. There was a trend to a decline in α-glutamyl transpeptidase levels, but this was less impressive and not statistically significant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Pathology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, DD1 9SY, Dundee, Scotland

    Malcolm C. Bateson MB, David Hopwood MD, PhD & Ian A. D. Bouchier MD

Authors
  1. Malcolm C. Bateson MB
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  2. David Hopwood MD, PhD
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  3. Ian A. D. Bouchier MD
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Additional information

Dr. Bouchier was supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council

Dr. Bateson was supported by a grant from Weddel Pharmaceuticals Ltd

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Bateson, M.C., Hopwood, D. & Bouchier, I.A.D. Effect of gallstone-dissolution therapy on human liver structure. Digest Dis Sci 22, 293–299 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01072185

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