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Progesterone receptor in patients with hepatolithiasis
S M Sheen-Chen1, H T Ho, W J Chen
1Division of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|November 21, 2001
Summary
Progesterone receptor positivity in the gallbladder is more common in secondary hepatolithiasis (46%) than primary hepatolithiasis (23.5%). This finding suggests a potential role for progesterone in the development of secondary gallstones.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Altered gallbladder motility due to progesterone is linked to gallstone formation.
- Hepatolithiasis presents as primary (intrahepatic, intact gallbladder) or secondary (gallbladder origin, intrahepatic migration).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the progesterone receptor in gallbladder tissue in the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis.
- To compare progesterone receptor expression between primary and secondary hepatolithiasis.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of gallbladder specimens from 84 hepatolithiasis patients (34 primary, 50 secondary).
- Quantification of progesterone receptor positivity in gallbladder tissue.
Main Results:
- Progesterone receptor positivity was observed in 23.5% of primary hepatolithiasis cases and 46% of secondary hepatolithiasis cases.
- A statistically significant difference (P = 0.031) in progesterone receptor positivity rates was found between the two groups.
- Higher prevalence of progesterone receptor positivity in secondary hepatolithiasis suggests a potential link to its pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Gallbladder progesterone receptor expression is significantly higher in secondary hepatolithiasis compared to primary hepatolithiasis.
- These findings indicate a potential role for progesterone signaling in the development of secondary hepatolithiasis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved.