Cholecystectomy and Biliary Sphincterotomy Increase Fecal Bile Loss and Improve Lipid Profile in Dyslipidemia.

Background And Aims: Bile is the only significant pathway for cholesterol elimination. Cholecystectomy (CS) increases fecal bile acid loss, and endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (ES) is thought to have a similar effect. We speculated that a combined effect of ES + CS would further enhance fecal bile acid loss, potentially causing lipid profile changes in these patients.

Methods: Fecal bile acids and sterols were determined using gas chromatography in cohorts of post-CS + ES, post-CS and in healthy controls. The effect of ES + CS on blood lipid profile was assessed retrospectively in a single-center cohort of post-CS + ES patients, using a computerized database. Parameters of interest included demographics, medical history, and lipid profiles.

Results: Fecal primary bile acid concentrations were increased after CS + ES compared to CS and controls (cholic acid [CA] 1.4 ng/mg vs. 0.26 ng/mg, p = 0.02 vs. 0.23 ng/mg, p = 0.004, chenodeoxycholic acid [CDCA] 1.92 ng/mg vs. 0.39 ng/mg, p = 0.02 vs. 0.23 ng/mg, p = 0.01, respectively). Fecal cholesterol excretion was similar in all three groups. Baseline serum lipid profile and subsequent changes following CS + ES were correlated. In patients with baseline hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol (TC) > 200 mg/dl), TC levels decreased by 28.5 mg/dl, and LDL levels decreased by 21.5 mg/dl. The effect was more pronounced in those with TC > 200 mg/dl, despite of statin intake. In patients with hypertriglyceridemia [triglycerides (TG) > 200 mg/dl], TG decreased by 67.8 mg/dl following ES + CS. Among patients without dyslipidemia or dyslipidemia with adequate response to statins, the effect of ES + CS on lipid profile was minor.

Conclusions: Fecal bile acid loss increases following CS + ES. The effect on blood lipid profile depends on baseline TC and TG levels. Lipid profile is improved in dyslipidemic patients, while the impact of CS + ES is minimal on the normolipemic population.