Characteristics of amino acid profiles and incretin hormones in patients with gallstone disease: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION

Gallstone disease is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and increased risk of incident ischemic heart disease. It is known that the profile of branched‑chain amino acids (BCAAs) is altered in cardiac diseases as well as metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. The role of BCAAs in gallstone disease is still not known.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of essential amino acids and incretin hormones in patients with cholecystolithiasis.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The study included 31 patients with cholecystolithiasis and 25 gallstone‑free controls. The levels of free exogenous and endogenous amino acids, bile acids, glucagon‑like peptide 1, glucose‑dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, ghrelin, C-peptide, and insulin were measured in the fasting state and 1 hour after consumption of a 300‑kcal mixed meal.

RESULTS

The mean fasting and postprandial levels of valine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine were higher in the study group than in controls (all P.