| Theme |
Obesity and Digestive Organ |
| Title |
Influences of Obesity on Gallbladder Disease |
| Author |
Toshihide Ohya |
Department of Gastroenterology, Japan Organization of Occupational Health and Safety, Chugoku Rosai Hospital |
| Author |
Susumu Tazuma |
Department of General Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Obesity can cause gallstones and gallbladder cancer. These gallbladder diseases are affected by hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia, which usually coexist with obesity. When gallstones form, obesity induces the hypersecretion of cholesterol into bile, and the acceleration of the cholesterol saturation index. Simultaneously, obesity reduces the contraction of the gallbladder by reducing sensitivity for leptin and cholecystokinin. Etiologically, obesity affects the occurrence of gallbladder cancer via a chronic mucosal inflammatory effect of the gallstones. |