Sterols of human gallstones: the recent identification of eight different digitonin precipitable sterols.

In this study, we report for the first time the presence of many noncholesterol sterols in human gallstones. Gallstones were obtained from 17 patients at cholesystectomy. They were rich in sterol composition, some 52.8% by weight. A number of different sterols were found: 22-dehydrocholesterol 0.29% of total sterols; cholestanol, 1.54%; lathosterol, 1.92%; 24-methylene cholesterol and campesterol, 0.64%; stigmasterol, 0.02%; beta-sitosterol, 0.21%; and cholesterol, 95.33%. These individual sterols were identified by a variety of methods which included final verification by combined gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. These unusual sterols were derived either from the diet or from the metabolism of cholesterol in the body. Their presence might well affect the lithogenicity of the bile and raises questions about their metabolism and function generally in the body.