Concanavalin-A-extractable non-mucous glycoprotein concentrations in gallbladder bile of cholesterol gallstone patients.

BACKGROUND

The relationship between protein concentrations and the nucleation activity of bile in cholesterol gallstone patients has already been investigated. Nucleation promoters are mucins and concanavalin A (Con-A)-extractable glycoproteins. Nucleation inhibitors are apolipoproteins. We wanted to investigate whether a change in concentration of apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) or Con-A in the bile of cholesterol stone carriers is dependent on the nucleation time.

METHODS

Total protein was measured by fluorescence photometry, and Con-A-extractable glycoproteins were separated by their affinity to lectins and measured by photometry. Apolipoproteins were measured by radioactive competitive protein binding assay.

RESULTS

The protein concentrations in our bile samples were 2.41 +/- 1.08 mg/ml for the whole group, 2.73 +/- 1.07 mg/ml for a nucleation time less than 3 days, and 2.04 +/- 1.00 for a longer nucleation time. The concentration of the Con-A fraction accounted for 0.289 +/- 0.096 mg/ml, 0.306 +/- 0.081 mg/ml, and 0.274 +/- 0.109, respectively. The Apo A-I concentration was 52 +/- 64 micrograms/ml; 50 +/- 56 micrograms/ml for a nucleation time less than 3 days and 85 +/- 133 micrograms/ml for a longer nucleation time.

CONCLUSIONS

Obviously, individual protein fractions have an effect on the nucleation behaviour of gallbladder bile in cholesterol gallstone patients.