THE COMPOSITION OF HUMAN GALLBLADDER BILE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO CHOLELITHIASIS

Abstract

Specimens of human bile secured at operation from diseased and from normally appearing gall bladders were analyzed to determine concs. of solids, H-ions, bicarbonate, chloride, cholate, Na, K. Ca, Mg, bilirubin, lipoid P, and cholesterol. Marked alterations in chem. composition were associated with cholecystitis. Although cholesterol concns. were variable and showed no distinct change, the concns. of bile acid were decreased. Chloride or bicarbonate or both were increased, while cation concns. were lowered. The changes observed, and calculus formation as well, were explained by the inability of the gall bladder to retain bile acid.