Rowachol--a possible treatment for cholesterol gallstones.

It has been claimed that Rowachol, a proprietary choleretic, is occasionally successful in the treatment of gallstones. In gallstone patients we have examined its effect on the lipid composition of (1) samples of fasting gall bladder bile obtained at the time of cholecystectomy, and (2) T-tube bile on the tenth post-operative day. In a dose of two capsules, three times a day for only 48 hours, Rowachol significantly lowered the cholesterol solubility of both gall bladder (P less than 0.001) and T-tube bile (P less than 0.05). Rowachol in a dose of one capsule three times a day for 48 hours did not alter bile composition, while four capsules four times a day for a similar period caused a significant (P less than 0.05) deterioration in biliary lipid composition. The possible mechanisms of action of Rowachol and their therapeutic implications are discussed.