The effect of dihydroxydibutylether on bile lipid composition in patients with gallstones.

Dihydroxydibutylether (DHBE, 900 mg/day, in divided doses) was given to 13 patients with radiolucent gallstones. Bile lipid composition and bile saturation were studied before treatment and after 1 and 2 months of therapy. Bile was collected by duodenal intubation (after cerulein-induced gallbladder contraction) in each patient, and biliary lipids were estimated with standard laboratory techniques. The results of this study showed that DHBE treatment was associated with a significant (p less than 0.01) reduction of bile saturation with cholesterol (saturation index: 1.37 +/- 0.39 before treatment, 1.14 +/- 0.35 after 1 month, and 1.08 +/- 0.29 after 2 months). The possible mechanism of this effect and the clinical relevance are discussed.