Triglyceride and cholesterol content in bile, blood, and gallbladder wall.

Cholesterol gallstone disease is frequent in Chile compared with other countries, as is cholesterolosis of the gallbladder. The purpose of this study was to determine any differences in bile composition and cholesterol content in the gallbladder wall and serum of patients compared with findings in patients with gallstones and control subjects. In control subjects, cholesterol content of the gallbladder wall was determined in autopsy material. Patients with cholesterolosis had bile composition similar to that of patients with gallstones, with supersaturation of cholesterol in the bile. Also, these patients had increased levels of cholesterol in the gallbladder wall but normal serum cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that altered bile composition occurs in patients with cholesterolosis and gallstones.