Effect of dietary fibre on gallstone formation in hamsters

This study aimed at investigating the effect of different sources of dietary fibre on gallstone formation in hamsters. The substances studied were pectin, lignin and psyllium hydrocolloid. The two latter compounds protected hamsters against cholesterol gallstone formation. Lignin resulted in a decrease of the deoxycholic acid conentration and in a rise of the cholic/chenodeoxycholic acid ratio. These changes which are similar to those observed with cholestyramine suggest that lignin acts as a bile acid sequestrant. Psyllium hydrocolloid effected a similar shift of the cholic/chenodeoxycholic acid ratio but it also resulted in a rise of the deoxycholic concentration. This latter finding is not compatible with a bile acid sequestering role of this compound. The addition of alcohol to the drinking-water resulted in the formation of stones rich in pigment. Under these conditions the tendency to form such stones was not checked by either of the investigated substances.