[Role of incomplete dietary protein in experimental formation of gallstones]

The influence exerted by the quality of alimentary protein on the composition of the secreted bile, morphology of the liver and gallbladder, as well as on the formation of gallstones was studied in experiments with rats and hamsters. It is shown that with inclusion in an experimental fat-free ration of qualitatively incomplete protein gelatin (instead of caseine) the frequency of the gallstones formation increases by almost 6 times. In animals this is attended by a reduced concentration of a number of major bile components. Upon feeding for 2 weeks on lithogenic ration with gelatin morphological investigations disclose inflammatory changes in the gallbladder wall, and after a lapse of 3 weeks--multiple exulcerations in the mucosa and a dense gross sediment in the gallbladder lumen.