Molecular Insights into Gallstone Disease: Association of FXR and CYP7A1 Expression with Gallstone Composition in Iraqi Females
Keywords:
CYP7A1 gene, Gallstone , Gene expression, FTIR , FXR geneAbstract
Background: Gallstone illness is a common problem of the biliary system, and its development is known to involve more than one factor. Changes in metabolism, bile composition, and genetic background may all contribute to the formation of gallstones. Objective: The recent work aimed to assess the expression of the bile acid–related genes FXR and CYP7A1 in Iraqi individuals with gallstone illness and to examine their relation to gallstone composition and clinical findings. Methods: A case–control study was carried out on female individuals with gallstone illness and healthy controls. Gene expression of FXR and CYP7A1 was measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Gallstones were examined based on their physical appearance and analyzed via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Clinical and hematological data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: Individuals showed differences in body mass index and some hematological markers when relative to controls, and a positive family history was more commonly observed. Individuals exhibited reduced expression levels of both FXR and CYP7A1, particularly among individuals with a familial predisposition to gallstones. Gallstone analysis revealed pigment, cholesterol, and mixed types, with mixed stones being the most common form. Conclusions: The results suggested that gallstone illness contributes to alterations in the expression of bile acid-related genes and heterogeneous stone composition. The prevalence of mixed stones seems to indicate that gallstone development follows multiple mechanisms rather than a singular pathway.
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