Summary
Contradictory results in the studies on experimental gallstone formation using conventional and germfree mice have been reported. To study the role of bacteria in gallstone formation in the animal model JCL:ICR male germfree mice were monocontaminated with Clostridium butyricumMIYAIRI No. 588. Gallstone formation, biliary lipid composition and bile acid profiles in the bile, small intestinal contents and feces were analyzed after feeding the diet containing cholesterol and cholic acid. The rate of gallstone formation in the monocontaminated mice (38%) was less than that in the germfree mice (100%). The relative concentrations of biliary lipids of the two groups were located out of the micellar zone on the triangular co-ordinates by Admirand and Small. The bile acid concentrations in the small intestine and fecal excretions in the monocontaminated mice were higher than in the germfree mice. The composition as well as the mode of conjugation of the bile acids did not differ significantly between the two groups. The infestation of bacteria in the intestine enhanced the excretion of bile acids and inhibited the gallstone formation in mice, in which direct metabolic activity by bacterial enzymes on bile acid did not seem necessary to exert such effect.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Masuda H, Arakawa H: Classifications and epidemiologies of cholelithiasis. Saishin Igaku 30: 920, 1975 (Jpn)
Admirand WH, Small DM: The physiochemical basis of cholesterol gallstone formation in man. J Clin Invest 47: 1043, 1974
Wostmann BS: Intestinal bile acids and cholesterol absorption in the germfree rat. J Nutr 103: 982, 1973
Frey C, et al: Gallstone formation in the germ-free mouse. Am J Surg ll5: 75, 1968
Furukawa K: Gallstone formation in germfree mice. J Jpn Soc Surg 79: 597, 1979 (Jpn)
Tepperman J, et al: Induction of gallstones in mice by feeding a cholesterol-cholic acid containing diet. Am J Physiol 206:628, 1964
Mitsuoka T, et al: Eine verbesserte Methodik der qualitativen und quantitativen Analyse der Darmflora von Menschen und Tieren. Zbl f Bakt I Orig 195: 455, 1965
Setchell KDR, et al: A generally applicable method for the detailed analysis of bile acids in feces using liquid gas Chromatographic techniques, capillary column gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Presented at Falk Symposium No 29. -Bile acids and lipids, Freiburg, West Germany, October, 1980
Almé B, et al: Analysis of metabolic profiles of bile acids in urine using a lipophilic anion exchanger and computerized gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Lipid Res 18: 339, 1977
Tanida N, et al: Evaluation of polyethylene glycol-HT as a stationary phase for capillary column gas liquid chromatography of trimethylsilyl ether of bile acid methyl ester. J Chromatogr 240: 75, 1982
Allain CC, et al: Enzymatic determination of total serum cholesterol. Clin Chem 20: 470, 1974
Midtvedt T, Norman A: Adsorption of bile acids to intestinal microorganisms. Acta Path Microbiol Scand B 80: 202, 1972
Angelin BO, et al: Biliary lipid composition during treatment with different hypolipidaemic drugs. Eur J Clin Invest 9: 185, 1979
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hosomi, M., Tanida, N. & Shimoyama, T. The role of intestinal bacteria in gallstone formation in animal model. A study on biliary lipid composition and bile acid profiles in bile, small intestinal contents and feces of Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI No. 588 monocontaminated mice. Gastroenterol Jpn 17, 316–323 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774577
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774577