[The effects of activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in plasma membranes of hepatocytes on the formation of calcium bilirubinate gallstone].

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in plasma membranes of hepatocytes on the formation of calcium bilirubinate gallstone.

Methods: The rabbit models for studying calcium bilirubinate gallstone were used. One hundred and three rabbits were randomly divided into the control (sham operation) group (Con, n = 28), the simple biliary obstruction group (BO, n = 36), and the biliary obstruction and infection group (BOI, n = 39). The activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in plasma membranes of hepatocytes and the intracellular calcium content were measured on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 20th days after operation.

Results: The activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase decreased remarkably in all phases of BOI and BO groups as compared with those of Con group (P < 0.01). The over-loaded intracellular calcium was found in both BOI and BO groups. The above-mentioned changes were more significant in BOI group than in BO group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The progressive decrease of the activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase is in close relationship with the continuous increase of intracellular calcium content during the formation of calcium bilirubinate gallstone in rabbit models. Infection can aggravate those changes and further the formation of stone.