Dissolution of cholesterol-rich gallstones

The “dissolution of cholesterol-rich gallstones” refers to the therapeutic process whereby agents—primarily bile acids such as ursodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid—alter the composition of bile to increase cholesterol solubility, thus leading to the dissolution and eventual elimination of cholesterol stones. This process relies on the reduction of bile cholesterol saturation, enhancement of micellar solubilization, and, in the case of UDCA, formation of liquid-crystalline phases that disperse cholesterol into a soluble form. This is a pharmacological strategy rather than a molecular or protein target, so it should not be treated as a single canonical molecular entity or receptor[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

dissolution of cholesterol gallstoneschemical gallstone dissolutionbile acid-induced dissolution

UDCA: reduces cholesterol saturation in bile, leading to micellar solubilization and liquid crystalline dispersion of cholesterol from stones[1][4] CDCA: enhances micellar dissolution of cholesterol[1][4] Additional agents: can enhance dissolution by reducing charge repulsion and facilitating transfer of cholesterol molecules into bile micelles[2]