Research progress on the formation mechanism of gallbladder cholesterol stones and genetic susceptibility
Li Yuhan
Yan Dongyang
Lin Chunyu
Xu Yingchen
Abstract：Gallbladder cholesterol cholelithiasis is a complex disease caused by the combined effects of genetic and environmental factors.This article systematically elaborates its cascading pathogenesis,which initiates with the imbalance of hepatic cholesterol metabolism and abnormal bile composition,leading to cholesterol super-saturation in bile.Subsequently,cholesterol in supersaturated bile nucleates in the mucin gel matrix to form cholesterol monohydrate crystals.Meanwhile,the dysfunction of gallbladder smooth muscle cells induced by excessive cholesterol uptake results in impaired gallbladder motility and bile stasis,which provides a"breeding ground"for crystal growth and aggregation.Notably,intestinal factors such as intestinal dysbiosis are also key links in the pathogenesis of gallbladder cholesterol stones.This article focuses on analyzing the core roles of key genes including adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter genes,mucin genes and cholecystokinin receptor genes in multiple pathological steps,revealing that genetic susceptibility runs through the entire process of initiation,nucleation,growth and regulation in gallbladder cholesterol stone formation.
Keywords：Gallbladder cholesterol stoneGenetic susceptibilityIntestinal flora
Publication Date：2026-03-18
Online Publishing Date：2026-09-14(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 466-470 )