Lovastatin and gallstone dissolution: a preliminary study

Lovastatin, an agent that reduces both serum and biliary cholesterol in humans, also inhibits cholesterol gallstone formation in an animal model. The present study was designed to assess the efficacy of lovastatin in gallstone dissolution.

All prairie dogs were fed a 1.2% cholesterol-enriched diet during the entire study. Gallbladders from five animals were examined at 3 weeks, and four of five gallbladders contained gallstones. Remaining animals were maintained on the 1.2% cholesterol-enriched diet and randomized to receive either water (n = 7); lovastatin, 8 mg (n = 7); ursodeoxycholic acid, 50 mg (UR, n = 7); or both drugs (lovastatin and UR, n = 7) twice daily by way of orogastric tube for 4 additional weeks. Response to therapy was determined by blinded examination of gallbladders.

All three treatment groups had significant reductions in serum cholesterol, hepatic bile cholesterol, and hepatic cholesterol saturation index as compared to controls (water). Lovastatin induced a 28% response rate to dissolution therapy, which was equal to that achieved with UR, and the combination of lovastatin and UR produced a 56% response rate.

This preliminary study suggests that lovastatin, alone or in combination with UR, may be useful in dissolving gallstones in humans.