HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES IN CALCIUM BILIRUBINATE GALLSTONES

Thin serial sections of calcium bilirubinate gallstones were prepared by Nakamura's resin-reinforcing method. They were submitted to histochemical stainings and the result was compared with that obtained with non-stained control sections. When a section was observed under high magnification, granular particles of calcium bilirubinate were seen deposited in all areas of the section, and the area where these particles accumulated densely constituted a lamellar structure. Histochemically, calcium bilirubinate gallstones contained acid mucopolysaccharides including sulfated polysaccharides, and it appeared that the substances were diffusely distributed and connected calcium bilirubinate particles with one another. The present report stresses an important role of mucopolysaccharides in the formation of calcium bilirubinate gallstones as in the case of calcium carbonate gallstones. © 1969, Tohoku University Medical Press. All rights reserved.