Background: The relationship between protein concentrations and the nucleation activity of bile in cholesterol gallstone patients has already been investigated. Nucleation promoters are mucins and concanavalin A (Con-A)-extractable glycoproteins. Nucleation inhibitors are apolipoproteins. We wanted to investigate whether a change in concentration of apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) or Con-A in the bile of cholesterol stone carriers is dependent on the nucleation time.
Methods: Total protein was measured by fluorescence photometry, and Con-A-extractable glycoproteins were separated by their affinity to lectins and measured by photometry. Apolipoproteins were measured by radioactive competitive protein binding assay.
Results: The protein concentrations in our bile samples were 2.41 +/- 1.08 mg/ml for the whole group, 2.73 +/- 1.07 mg/ml for a nucleation time less than 3 days, and 2.04 +/- 1.00 for a longer nucleation time. The concentration of the Con-A fraction accounted for 0.289 +/- 0.096 mg/ml, 0.306 +/- 0.081 mg/ml, and 0.274 +/- 0.109, respectively. The Apo A-I concentration was 52 +/- 64 micrograms/ml; 50 +/- 56 micrograms/ml for a nucleation time less than 3 days and 85 +/- 133 micrograms/ml for a longer nucleation time.
Conclusions: Obviously, individual protein fractions have an effect on the nucleation behaviour of gallbladder bile in cholesterol gallstone patients.