Hepatic apolipoprotein A-I gene expression in patients with cholesterol gallstones treated with ursodeoxycholic acid.

OBJECTIVE It has been suggested that apo A-I can inhibit cholesterol crystal nucleation in vitro, and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with cholesterol gallstones the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of UDCA on the steady-state levels (SSL) of apo A-I mRNA in the liver, as well as serum apo A-I, in patients with cholesterol gallstones. DESIGN Twenty Mexican patients with symptomatic radiolucent gallstones were randomized and assigned in a double blind fashion to groups that were administered either UDCA (4 mg/kg per day) or placebo for 10 to 15 days before cholecystectomy. Apo A- I mRNA levels in liver and gallbladder tissues were determined by northern blot and serum levels of apo A- I by turbidimetric method. METHODS Apo A- I mRNA levels were higher in nine of the 10 patients who received UDCA and in comparison to those to the placebo group. In the gallbladder apo A- I mRNA levels were undetected. Serum levels (mg/dL) of apo A- I were similar in both UDCA and placebo groups after treatment (111.7 +/- 29.8 vs 115.6 +/- 25.4). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study shown that apo A- I mRNA gene express at the mRNA level in the liver but not in the gallbladder of patients with cholesterol gallstones treated with UDCA.