Gallstone disease is a complex disorder where both environmental and genetic factors …

• Abstract
• Genetic predisposition in gallstone formation
• Super saturation of bile with cholesterol
• Genetic variations in apo-lipoproteins
• Role of other proteins of lipid metabolism
• Future directions
• References

Biology Articles » Genetics » Clinical Genetics » Genetics of gallstone disease » Genetic predisposition in gallstone formation

Genetic predisposition in gallstone formation

- Genetics of gallstone disease

Several evidences suggest that genetic predisposition plays a major role in the development of cholesterol gallstones. Ultrasound studies confirm the increased prevalence of gallstones in the first-degree family members of patients with gallstone disease.[6],[7] Very high incidence of gallstones has been reported in certain ethnic groups like Pima-Indians.[7] Cholesterol saturation index of bile which is a prerequisite for gallstone formation, has been found to be similar only in monozygotic twins.[8] However, the disease does not follow simple Mendelian pattern of inheritance, because no single gene or gene family is primarily involved. Instead, a number of different genes with diverse gene products contribute towards gallstone formation.