Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 09, 2025 10 hours, 32 minutes ago
Medical News: Cholesterol gallstone disease, a prevalent condition worldwide, primarily arises from cholesterol deposits in the gallbladder. Affecting nearly 10% of the population in China, this ailment results in significant discomfort and potential complications like chronic inflammation and gallbladder dysfunction. The primary cause of these gallstones is an imbalance in bile composition, which leads to the formation of cholesterol crystals that coalesce into stones.
Potential of Ultrasound Therapy in Treating Gallstone Disease
Traditional treatments, such as medications and surgeries, have their limitations, including potential side effects and invasiveness. Researchers from Tongji University in Shanghai have proposed an innovative alternative: low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). This
Medical News report explores the findings of a groundbreaking study that investigates LIPUS's potential to improve gallbladder function and alleviate inflammation in cholesterol gallstone disease.
What is Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound?
LIPUS is a non-invasive therapeutic technology that uses acoustic waves at intensities below 3.0 W/cm². Unlike conventional ultrasound, which generates heat, LIPUS employs mechanical vibrations to enhance cellular activities and promote healing. Its applications span muscle recovery, tissue repair, and now, potentially, gallstone management.
The researchers, hailing from the Department of Ultrasound and the Center of Gallbladder Disease at Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, conducted their study to assess how LIPUS might influence gallbladder motility and reduce inflammation. Their work offers hope for a non-invasive treatment for gallstone patients.
Study Methodology
The study used guinea pigs as experimental models to simulate human cholesterol gallstone disease. Divided into four groups, these animals were subjected to different dietary and treatment conditions:
-A normal diet group (control).
-A high-cholesterol diet group to induce gallstone formation.
-A high-cholesterol diet group receiving sham LIPUS treatment.
-A high-cholesterol diet group treated with active LIPUS.
For eight weeks, guinea pigs in the treatment group underwent LIPUS therapy at specific frequencies and intensities. Researchers measured gallbladder function, bile composition, and inflammation levels through advanced imaging, biochemical assays, and tissue analysis.
Key Findings of the Study
The results were striking. LIPUS therapy significantly improved gallbladder motility, enhanced bile crystal clearance, and reduced inflammation within the gallbladder tissue. These findings underscore LIPUS's ability to address two primary issues in gallstone disease: impaired gallbladder contraction and chronic inflammation.
-Improved Gallbladder Contractility: The study demonstrated that LIPUS restored the responsiveness of gal
lbladder muscles to cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone that induces gallbladder contraction. Researchers observed a marked increase in gallbladder emptying efficiency among LIPUS-treated guinea pigs.
-Reduction in Bile Crystals: Through polarized light microscopy, the researchers noted a substantial decrease in bile crystal density in the LIPUS group compared to untreated counterparts. This reduction is crucial in preventing the progression of gallstone formation.
-Alleviation of Inflammation: Histological analysis revealed that LIPUS therapy mitigated inflammation in the gallbladder wall. The treatment reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue swelling, promoting a healthier microenvironment for gallbladder function.
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Structural Integrity of the Gallbladder Wall: Further analysis showed that LIPUS restored the expression of cholecystokinin A receptors (CCKAR) and enhanced the thickness of the gallbladder’s smooth muscle layer. These improvements provided a structural basis for better muscle contractility and overall gallbladder health.
How LIPUS Works
The therapeutic effects of LIPUS stem from its ability to stimulate cellular and tissue repair processes. In the study, LIPUS improved the structural integrity of gallbladder cells, including the interstitial cells of Cajal, which play a key role in coordinating muscle contractions. By reducing inflammatory responses and enhancing protein expression associated with muscle health, LIPUS promotes better gallbladder functionality.
Conclusions and Implications
This research highlights the potential of LIPUS as a transformative approach to managing cholesterol gallstone disease. The therapy not only improves gallbladder motility but also mitigates inflammation and structural damage, paving the way for non-invasive treatments that could complement or replace existing methods.
The findings suggest that LIPUS holds promise for a broader range of applications in gastrointestinal and biliary disorders. However, further studies are necessary to confirm its long-term efficacy and safety in human patients. Future research should explore molecular mechanisms underlying LIPUS’s therapeutic effects and investigate its applications in conditions like biliary dyskinesia and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Bioengineering.
https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/1/34
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