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[The expression of calponin in Oddi's sphincters and its actions during gallstone formation]
Objectives:
To study on the expression of calponin in an animal model of gallstone disease and investigate the molecular mechanisms of gallstone formation.
Methods:
After feeding a high-cholesterol diet to guinea pigs, Oddi's sphincters were disseced on day 30 and day 60 respectively. We used RT-PCR, western-blotting to evaluate expression level of calponin gene.
Results:
Down-regulation of calponin gene expression was observed in animals with gallstone. The levels of both protein and mRNA expression for calponin on day 30 and day 60 were lower than those of control group with the level from day 60 lower than that from day 60, while myosin expressions were relatively stable.
Conclusion:
Our results indicated that the decrease of calponin could increase the pressure of sphincter of Oddi, aggravate the stasis of bile and promote the gallstone formation.