Decreased number of activated macrophages in gallbladder muscle layer of cholesterol gallstone patients following ursodeoxycholic acid

We recently reported that, in symptomatic cholesterol gallstone patients, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) improves gallbladder (GB) muscle contractility and decreases the biochemical parameters of oxidative stress and inflammation.1 UDCA also antagonises the hydrophobic bile acid damage to the liver by preventing hydrophobic bile acid-induced stimulation of macrophage oxidative processes.2 3 Macrophages also play a dominant role in the inflammatory and oxidative response in other conditions associated with impairment of intestinal motility, such as post-operative ileus.4–6 Following these findings, we carried out additional studies aimed at examining: the presence of macrophage infiltration and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the GB muscle layer and the effect of short-term UDCA administration. From February 2004 to August 2007, …