Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Extrahepatic Bile Duct and Gall Bladder Dissection in Nine-Day-Old Mouse Neonates
06:10

Extrahepatic Bile Duct and Gall Bladder Dissection in Nine-Day-Old Mouse Neonates

Published on: August 23, 2022

Cholesterol, non-cholesterol sterols and bile acids in paediatric gallstones

A I Koivusalo1, M P Pakarinen, C Sittiwet

  • 1Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Digestive and Liver Disease : Official Journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
|July 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Paediatric gallstones show distinct sterol and bile acid profiles compared to adults. Parenteral nutrition-associated gallstones are notably rich in phytosterols, differing significantly from adult gallstone composition.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Biliary System Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Human gallstones exhibit variable cholesterol, non-cholesterol sterol, and bile acid content influenced by underlying etiological factors.
  • These compositional aspects remain largely unexplored in pediatric gallstone patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively evaluate the sterol and bile acid compositions of pediatric gallstones.
  • To compare these findings with the established profiles of adult gallstones.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gallstones from 21 consecutively cholecystectomized children.
  • Quantification of gallstone sterols and bile acids using gas-liquid chromatography.
  • Comparative analysis against a cohort of 194 adult gallstones.

Main Results:

  • Cholesterol gallstones demonstrated higher cholesterol and lathosterol but lower lanosterol and phytosterol proportions than pigment gallstones.
  • Gallstone cholesterol content correlated positively with body mass index and age in cholesterol gallstone patients.
  • Parenteral nutrition-associated brown pigment gallstones were rich in campesterol and sitosterol; pigment stones had higher bile acids than cholesterol stones.
  • Pediatric gallstones exhibited lower deoxycholic acid proportions compared to adult gallstones.

Conclusions:

  • Gallstones in pediatric patients receiving parenteral nutrition are characterized by high phytosterol content.
  • The sterol composition of gallstones in adolescent girls mirrors that observed in adult gallstone disease.
  • Significant differences exist in the bile acid composition of pediatric gallstones when compared to adults.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Enrichment of Mammalian Tissues and Xenopus Oocytes with Cholesterol10:12

Enrichment of Mammalian Tissues and Xenopus Oocytes with Cholesterol

Published on: March 25, 2020

Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport08:42

Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport

Published on: November 27, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Bile01:19

Bile

Bile is a crucial bodily fluid, characterized by its yellow-green color and alkaline nature. Produced in the liver, it is transported through the common hepatic duct into either the cystic duct, leading to the gallbladder, or directly into the common bile duct. The flow of bile is regulated by the sphincter of Oddi located at the entrance of the duodenum. When this sphincter is closed, bile is redirected to the gallbladder for storage and concentration.
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
Cholecystitis01:20

Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by obstruction of the cystic duct. This blockage prevents bile from draining, leading to gallbladder distension, inflammation, and potentially serious complications. This condition may present acutely or chronically and can happen with or without gallstones.EtiologyAbout 95% of cholecystitis cases are calculous, caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, leading to bile accumulation and inflammation of the gallbladder...
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism01:28

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...