Serum lipid and lipoproteins in gallstone patients.

Serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were determined in a group of thirty two gallstone patients and compared to the values obtained in thirty two healthy control subjects. The serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) in gallstone patients were found to be lower than that of the control group. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, apoprotein-A and apoprotein-B concentrations were observed to be higher in gallstone patients than the controls. The differences in triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were statistically significant. However, there was no significant difference in high density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apoprotein-A, apoprotein-B, and total cholesterol concentrations between groups. It is concluded that gallstone formation may be related to a disturbance in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism.