An experimental study of hypercholesterolemia-induced disorder of Oddi's sphincter

AIM:To investigate the functional changes and histopathological basis of Oddi’s sphincter under hypercholesterolemia. METHODS:Twenty - four New Zealand rabbits were equally divided into be groups ran- domly. Experimental groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ fed with cholesterol - added forage for 4 and 8 weeks respectively before sacri- ficed. Images, functions and histopathological characteristics of Oddi’s sphincters of experimental groups were studied and compared with control group by cholangiography, catheter manometry, and quantitative analysis of nitric oxide synthase. RESULTS: The hasal pressures of proximal low - pressure segment of Oddi’s sphincter of hath experimen- tal groups Ⅰand Ⅱ (20.9±6.1 mmHg, 25 .6±9.1 mmHg, respectively) were higher than those of control group sig- nificantly (11.7±2.8 mmHg, P < 0.01, P < 0.01 ). The hasal pressures of distal high - pressure "valve" segment of both experimental pops (138 .4±45. 5 mmHg and 144. 5 ±40 .4 mmHg, respectively) were significantly higher than those of coned group (69.3±9.8 mmHg, P < 0.01 and P<0.01). The gallbladder volUmes of experimental group Ⅰ and Ⅱ (3.4±1.0 mL and 3.9±1.9 mL) were significantly larger than those of control group (2.0 ±1.9 mL, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 ). Between groups there were no significant differences in nitric oxide synthase con- tents. Enlargement of the cell volume, wavy distortion of the cell membrane, loosening and disarrangement of myofila- ment, uneven in size and distribution of dense body, angulation of longitudinal axis between dense body and myofila- ment, swelling, congregated at one end of nucleoulus and disappearance of cristae of plasmosomes and concertration of chromosome at nucleolus margin were observed in experimental groups under electron-microscope. CONCLUSION: The diastole function of Oddi’s sphincter could be damaged by hyperecholesterolemia, inducing a functional disorder of Oddi’s sphincter with increased resistance in bile excretion. The result is retertion of bile in the gallbladder.