Association between serum concentration of apolipoproteins A-I and B with gallbladder disease

A total of 1,255 subjects attending a private health care facility in Mexico City were studied to evaluate the association of serum concentration of Apo A-I and Apo B with presence of gallbladder disease (gallstones or cholecystectomy).

A cross-sectional study was carried out. All participants provided data on sociodemographic status and previous diagnoses of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular events, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits. Women additionally reported their obstetric-gynecologic history. Weight and height were measured; liver and biliary tract ultrasound assessed gallbladder disease. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, and apolipoproteins A-I (Apo A-I) and B (Apo B) were determined after a 12-h fasting period.

In multivariate models, Apo A-I > or = 120 mg/dL was positively associated with gallbladder disease with odds ratio (OR) = 1.64, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.03-2.62, whereas Apo B > or = 120 mg/dL showed an inverse association (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.48-1.05). Ratio of Apo B/Apo A-I > or = 1 was inversely associated with risk of gallbladder disease (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.37-0.80). All models were adjusted for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, triglycerides, alcohol consumption, tobacco, and contraceptive use, as well as for total cholesterol in HDL-cholesterol and Apo A-I models.

Our results suggested the relationship between serum concentration of apolipoproteins and gallbladder disease. These findings support the hypothesis of increased biliary catabolism of cholesterol in subjects with gallbladder disease characterized by lower Apo B and higher Apo A-I serum concentrations.