Correlation of serum biochemical characteristics and ABCG8 genetic variant (rs 11887534) with gall stone compositions and risk of gallstone disease in Egyptian patients.

BACKGROUND

The overexpression of the cholesterol transporter: ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCG8) due to the effect of ABCG8 genetic variant (rs11887534) leads to the precipitation of cholesterol crystals and gallstone disease (GSD).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the chemical composition of gallstones and the role of ABCG8 (rs11887534) in the susceptibility to GSD.

METHODS

We enrolled 77 patients with GSD treated with standard laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy and 75 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Chemical analysis of the extracted gallstones was performed. Analysis of the rs11887534 was performed by real-time PCR TaqMan technique for both cases and controls.

RESULTS

Pure cholesterol stones were the main type of stones in GSD patients. The CC genotype carriers of rs11887534 were more prone to gallstone formation than other genotypes. The CC genotype carriers were 100 folds at increased risk to develop pure cholesterol stones.

CONCLUSION

The most prevalent type of gallbladder stones is pure cholesterol stone. ABCG8 (rs11887534) could be associated with increased risk for cholesterol gallstones formation, this risk was more pronounced in female patients.