P53 overexpression in gastric adenocarcinoma with Helicobacter pylori infection

Gastric carcinogenesis has been studied in various aspects. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene have recently been argued to be important factors of gastric carcinogenesis. There have been many studies to determine the precise mechanism of how Hp is related to gastric cancer, but it is so far still unknown. We studied the relationship of Hp infection and p53 overexpression and tried to discover some significance in clinicopathologic factors such as age, sex, stage, site, differentiation and gross morphology. Ninety-six patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancer at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Medical College from November 1995 to March 1996, and 96 control patients of non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) were studied by endoscopic biopsy of normal gastric tissue and cancer tissue. They also underwent the CLO (Delta West, Melbourne, Western Australia) test for Hp positivity and p53 immunohistochemical stain for p53 positivity. These data were analyzed for comparison with the clinicopathologic characteristics of gastric cancers. In conclusion, the differentiated group cancer had a significantly high Hp positivity and p53 positivity. There is a possibility that Hp infection and p53 tumor suppressor gene mutation might be significantly related in the gastric carcinogenic process of well- and moderately-differentiated adenocarcinomas, but further study is necessary to determine more direct clues on the carcinogenic roles of these factors.

Difference in binding-site architecture of the serum-type and liver-type mannose-binding proteins

The carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) of the serum-type and the liver-type mannose-binding proteins (MBPs) from rat display different binding characteristics toward mannose-rich oligosaccharides derived from N-glycosides, despite the overall similarity in their binding site architecture, oligomeric status and actual binding specificity at the monosaccharide level. We found that the liver-type MBP CRD of rat (MBP-C) bound methyl glycosides of certain mannobioses and -trioses, which are part of the mannose-rich N-glycoside, more tightly than methyl alpha-mannopyranoside. In contrast, the serum-type MBP CRD of rat (MBP-A) bound all the methyl glycosides of manno-oligosaccharide and methyl alpha-mannopyranoside with similar affinities. The mannobiose and -triose most strongly bound to MBP-C CRD were Man alpha (1-2)Man alpha-OMe and Man alpha (1-2)Man alpha (1-6)Man alpha-OMe, respectively. From these and other data, we postulate that the binding site of MBP-C has an extended area of interaction, probably the size of a mannotriose, while MBP-A interacts essentially with one mannose residue.

Endobronchial metastasis from rectal adenocarcinoma

A case of endobronchial metastasis 2 yr following treatment of rectal carcinoma is presented. Endobronchial metastases from extrathoracic primary malignancies are uncommon, the estimated frequency and possible mechanisms underlying this complication are discussed. The importance of recognizing possible endobronchial metastasis is in the approach to management and prognosis.

Sialomucin expression is associated with erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression, early recurrence, and cancer death in non-small-cell lung cancer

Mucin production, when heavily sialylated, can promote cancer cell invasion and metastasis, and modulate the immune recognition system of the host. To explore the prognostic implication of sialomucin expression in lung cancer, we studied 116 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumor specimens were stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against mucin glycoprotein (17Q2, HMFG2, SM3), and histochemically with periodic acid-Schiff/alcian blue to differentiate neutral mucin from acid mucin, and with high-iron diamine/alcian blue to differentiate sialomucin from sulfomucin. The expression status of two established molecular prognostic factors, the p53 and erbB-2 oncoproteins, were evaluated immunohistochemically. The staining was performed on two separately archived, paraffin-embedded tumor blocks for each patient, with normal lung as a control. Correlations were subsequently made among stains and various clinicopathologic factors. All analyses were blinded, and included Kaplan-Meier survival estimates with Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Associations were established among adenocarcinoma histotype and erbB-2 overexpression, sialomucin expression, and 17Q2 and HMFG2 immunohistochemical positivity (p < 0.05). Sialomucin expression was closely linked to erbB-2 overexpression (p = 0.01). Significant univariate predictors (p < 0.05) of recurrence and cancer death were surgical stage, p53 expression, erbB-2 overexpression, and sialomucin expression. These four factors remained as independent predictors of early recurrence (p < 0.05) after multivariate analysis. For cancer death prediction, p53 and sialomucin expression had a marginal effect. We concluded that sialomucin expression is also a poor indicator of prognosis, which is associated with erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression, early postoperative recurrence, and cancer death in NSCLC.

Effect of Brij-78 on systemic delivery of insulin from an ocular device

An ocular insert is developed for the controlled systemic delivery of insulin. Commercially available Gelfoam absorbable gelatin sponge, USP, is used in the fabrication of the ocular insert in the form of a matrix system. Two eyedrop formulations and 13 eye device formulations were evaluated. The efficacy of insulin ocular delivery was quantitated by monitoring the changes in its pharmacological response (i.e., blood glucose lowering). The in vivo results from devices containing 0.5 or 1.0 mg of insulin with 20 micrograms of polyoxyethylene-20-stearyl ether (Brij-78) give a substantial improvement in insulin activity and a significant prolongation in its duration compared with the eyedrops. In addition, the mean blood glucose concentration returns to nearly normal levels within 60 min after the removal of the device. Overall, the application of the Gelfoam device makes it feasible to obtain a prolonged systemic delivery of insulin within the desired therapeutic levels without the risk of hypoglycemia.

Derivatization and high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of pentaazapentacosane pentahydrochloride

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of the dansyl derivative of pentaazapen-tacosane (PAPC) pentahydrochloride has been developed. The chromatographic system uses a reversed-phase C8 column, a mobile phase of acetic acid buffer and acetonitrile and UV detection. The dansylation conditions were optimized with a pH of 11.0 and a 20-fold dansyl chloride excess. The yield of dansyl PAPC increased 10-fold as the reaction pH was changed from 9.5 to 10.5. Under derivatization conditions of pH 8.5-11.0 and 1-30-fold excess dansyl chloride only perdansyl PAPC was found.

Difference in the binding mode of two mannose-binding proteins: demonstration of a selective minicluster effect

Serum-type and liver-type mannose-binding proteins (MBP) are both present in higher animals and both are composed of a carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) and a collagenous domain. Although known as mannose-binding proteins, these proteins bind N-acetylglucosamine and other related sugars quite well. An earlier specificity study using cloned CRD portions of both types of MBP from rat [Childs, R. A., Feizi, T., Yuen, C.-T., Drickamer, K., & Quesenberry, M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 20770-20777] revealed that the liver MBP CRD binds the trimannosyl core structure of N-glycosides, whereas the serum MBP CRD does not. We studied the substrate preferences of these CRDs using both solid and solution phase assays, testing monosaccharides, glycoproteins, and synthetic cluster ligands. While there was no significant difference in the monosaccharide binding specificities of the two CRDs, they displayed very different affinities for natural glycoproteins and mannose-containing cluster glycosides. Most interestingly, synthetic cluster ligands with two terminal GlcNAc moieties have affinity equal to monovalent GlcNAc ligands toward both CRDs, whereas a series of structurally similar Man-terminated divalent ligand displays about 20-fold enhanced affinity toward liver CRD only. A plausible explanation is that the liver MBP CRD has two sugar binding sites per subunit, one of which binds only mannose, and the other, both mannose and N-acetylglucosamine. In contrast, the serum MBP CRD has only one site of the latter type. Results of isothermal titration calorimetry support this hypothesis.

Usefulness of AgNOR score in differentiating benign from malignant pulmonary aspiration cytology

OBJECTIVE

Malignant cells are known to display greater argyrophil staining for nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) than for benign cells due to their active proliferation. In this study we assessed the diagnostic value of AgNOR staining on 47 fine needle aspiration cytologic specimens of lung previously stained with the May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG) method.

METHODS

Cytologic specimens obtained from fine needle aspiration of the lung in 47 proven cases prestained with the MGG technique were destained and restained with the AgNOR method. Seventeen of them were benign and 30 malignant. To differentiate malignant from benign entities, the highest median value for AgNOR number (AgNOR score) obtained from the benign cases was chosen as a cutoff point (test specificity, 100%).

RESULTS

AgNOR scores of malignant cases were significantly higher than those of benign cases (P < .001). There was no significant difference between two subgroups of benign diseases or among four subgroups of malignant diseases. The sensitivity of the AgNOR score was 93% (28/30) in providing a diagnosis of malignancy when the cutoff value was set at 6.

CONCLUSION

The AgNOR technique may be of considerable value in aiding a diagnosis of malignancy, especially when the score is > 6.

Determination of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid (KDO) with high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC): survey of stability of KDO and optimal hydrolytic conditions

A new method for 2-keto-3-deoxy-octulosonic acid (KDO) determination using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography was developed. KDO is well separated from Neu5Ac, and the response was linear from 20 pmol to 5 nmol. The method was used to examine the stability of KDO under various hydrolytic, conditions and to survey optimal hydrolytic conditions for release of KDO.

Intracellular and extracellular forms of alkaline pullulanase from an alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. S-1

Bacillus sp.S-1 alkaline pullulanase (AP) exists in two forms: a precursor form (PUL-Ia, M(r) 180,000) and a processed form (PUL-Ib, M(r) 140,000). PUL-Ia was accumulated intracellularly in large amounts, and PUL-Ib was detected in both the membrane fraction and the fraction trapped between the cytoplasmic membrane and the cell wall. Two forms of AP were purified to homogeneity and their properties were compared with previously purified PUL-E (140 kDa). PUL-Ib showed similar properties, such as the M(r) value, the pI value (5.7), specific activity, substrate specificity, the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence (Phe-Leu-Asn-Met-Ser), and biophysical characters. However, in the case of PUL-Ia, even though the patterns of optimum pH and temperature, substrate specificity, and enzyme inhibition and activation were similar to those for PUL-Ib and PUL-E, the M(r) value and the pI value (5.97) were different. Furthermore, the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of PUL-Ia was completely blocked, and the stabilities over pH and temperature ranges were decreased. The catalytic activities of PUL-Ia were distinguishable in the Km and Vmax values for various substrates and in the specific activity (71.4 U/mg) for pullulan hydrolysis. PUL-Ib and PUL-E showed 10-fold higher specific activities (744.6 for PUL-E and 736 for PUL-Ib) than PUL-Ia. However, PUL-Ia was immunologically identical to PUL-E and PUL-Ib. Therefore, it was concluded that PUL-Ib and PUL-E are the same form of the enzyme, suggesting that PUL-Ia is initially synthesized and proteolytically processed to the mature form of PUL-E. On the other hand, the translocation of AP required processing of the AP protein and the processing facilitated enzymatic activation and stabilization through a complete conformational change, resulting in an increase in affinity for substrates of PUL-E.

The chitin catabolic cascade in the marine bacterium Vibrio furnissii. Characterization of an N,N'-diacetyl-chitobiose transport system

The disaccharide N,N'-diacetyl-chitobiose, (GlcNAc)2, is critical in chitin dissimilation by Vibrio furnissii and, as reported here, is taken up by a specific permease. Since (GlcNAc)2 is rapidly catabolized by V. furnissii, a non-hydrolyzable thioglycoside analogue was used: methyl beta-N,N'-[3H]diacetyl-thiochitobioside (Me-[3H]TCB). Me-TCB and TCB substitute for (GlcNAc)2 as chemoattractants and inducers of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity. The [3H]Me-TCB uptake system was induced only by (GlcNAc)2 and by (GlcNAc)n that can be converted to (GlcNAc)2. The Km for [3H]Me-TCB uptake was </=1 microM and was not affected by Na+ or K+. Uptake appeared to be unidirectional, and in 0.4 M sucrose (+/- K+) the cells accumulated [3H]Me-TCB until it was depleted from the medium, giving an internal concentration of 0.1 M and an internal/external ratio > 1,000. The only effective inhibitors of uptake were: (GlcNAc)n, n = 2-4 > cellobiose > (GlcNAc)5. In 50% artificial sea water (or sucrose/Na+), [3H]Me-TCB accumulation attained a constant steady state level because of efflux, a Na+-dependent process. The physiological implications of these results are considered.

Overexpression of MUC5 genes is associated with early post-operative metastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer

Mucin glycoprotein can promote tumor-cell invasion metastasis and modulate the immune recognition of cancer. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical significance of mucin gene overexpression in lung cancer. We collected 60 lung cancer samples and paired non-tumorous lung portions of varying types and stages. Slot-blot analysis with specific anti-sense oligonucleotide probes derived from tandem repeat sequence of MUC1, -2, -3, -4, 5B and 5AC were utilized to compare the amount of mucin gene mRNA in tumor samples with that of the non-tumorous counterparts. A ratio higher than 1.5 for each specific mucin mRNA amount was considered to indicate mucin gene overexpression in tumors. Immunohistochemical staining of monoclonal antibodies against mature airway mucin (17Q2) and MUC1 mucin protein (HMFG2) were also used to analyze mucin protein. The study showed that overexpression of mucin genes frequently occurred in lung cancer (25 out of 60, 41.7%), but that there was no preferential expression of a particular mucin gene or a combination of mucin genes in these tumors. The overexpression of mucin genes and mucin protein had no correlation with tumor stage, nodal stage, histology or pathological differentiation grade. Tumors of smokers had higher MUC5B and MUC5AC mRNA expression ratios than those of non-smokers. Tumors with increased expression of mucin genes tended to be associated with post-operative relapse, especially when MUC5B and MUC5AC genes were overexpressed (p = 0.015 and 0.025, respectively). The study suggests that overexpression of novel tracheobronchial mucin genes may result in an increased likelihood of post-operative lung-cancer recurrence or metastases.

The optimal tidal volume delivered by ventilator after pulmonary resection: its effect on cardiopulmonary hemodynamics

Pulmonary function and gas exchange deteriorate after pulmonary resection. The vital capacity, tidal volume, and functional capacity decrease after pulmonary resection because of loss of effective lung volume and, therefore, affect the setting of the ventilator. Nineteen patients undergoing pulmonary resection were included in this study on the optimal tidal volume delivered by a ventilator. Five patients received mediastinal surgery or wedge resection of the lung, 4 had pneumonectomy, and 10 had lobectomy. Immediately after the pulmonary surgery, they were maintained with ventilatory support. Subsequently, a different setting of tidal volume on the ventilator was given for each patient, i.e., 6 ml/kg, 8 ml/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 14 ml/kg. For each setting of tidal volume, a hemodynamic study was performed including cardiac output and other parameters. With the examination of Wilk's Lambda test, there was no difference in association with different settings of tidal volume on blood pressure (F = 0.92, p = 0.51), pulmonary artery pressure (F = 0.95, p = 0.43), pulmonary vascular resistance (F = 0.24, p = 0.97), systemic vascular resistance (F = 0.42, p = 0.78), and cardiac output (F = 0.35, p = 0.93) in 3 different groups of patients. It is concluded that after pulmonary resection a patient's lungs can be inflated with a tidal volume to 14 ml/kg during ventilatory support without compromise of cardiovascular performance.

Using titanium plate or meshplate for chest wall reconstruction: report of 6 cases and literature review

Titanium plate has been widely used in several surgical fields, such as craniofacial reconstruction and orthopedic prosthesis. This prosthesis has been proved not only with good biocompatibility and mechanical strength, but also with light weight and low radiological interference. From October 1991 to May 1995, 6 patients underwent thoracic cage reconstruction with titanium plate in our hospital. They included 5 females and 1 male, with ages ranging from 26 to 62 years. Four of them suffered from primary chest wall tumors (2 desmoid tumors, a chondrosarcoma, and 1 hemangioma), one had a recurrent chest wall tumor from breast carcinoma, and one had thoracic hypoplasia. The thoracic cage defect ranged from 5 x 6 cm to 10 x 15 cm, and 1 to 3 titanium plates were used for the reconstruction. No paradoxical movement or other prosthesis-related complications have occurred during the follow-up period. We conclude that titanium plate is a good material for thoracic cage reconstruction.

[Psychiatric emergency consultation in a general hospital]

Inpatients in general hospital often presented with psychological problems and some of them need emergent psychiatric interventions. However, there have been little attention on the psychiatric emergency consultation. The purpose of this paper is to review the psychiatric emergency service in a general hospital over 3-year period. During this period, there were 88 psychiatric emergency consultations that represented 2.3% of all psychiatric consultations. The emergency group showed no difference in sex and age, but received more diagnoses of delirium (58.0%) than the other referrals. About one fourth of these patients had psychiatric history. Stated requests for "agitation and irritability", "psychiatric symptoms" and "uncooperation with treatment" were the most frequent reasons. Sixty-five percent of the patients receive recommendations of medication treatment. Among them, neuroleptics and anxiolytics were most common used. About one half of the patients needed further medical tests. After psychiatric interventions, most of the patients got improved within 2 days but 15 patients died during hospitalization. These findings indicated that psychiatric emergency consultation though the request rate is low. When making diagnoses in emergency consultation, past psychiatric history is important and organic mental disorders should be ruled out first. After psychiatric interventions, most of the psychiatric emergency could be improved. It suggested that the setting of psychiatric emergency consultation could improve the quality of patient care in a ageneral hospital.

Psychiatric consultations in obstetric inpatients

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychiatric consultation condition in the obstetric ward with particular attention paid to the reasons for referral, psychiatric diagnoses and recommendations.

METHODS

This study was conducted in a medical center with 73 obstetric beds. All psychiatric consultations of obstetric inpatients during a 3-year period were included in this study. Data were derived from clinical charts and consultation records that included demographic data, reasons for referral, psychiatric diagnoses and treatment recommendations.

RESULTS

Within the 3-year period, 28 patients were referred for psychiatric consultation, or 0.3% of the 9,972 obstetric admissions. The obstetric group represented 0.7% of all the psychiatric consultations. The most common reason for the referral was anxiety. Many obstetric problems, medical histories and psychiatric histories were found in these 28 patients. The most common diagnoses were depression or dysthymia, and schizophrenia. The diagnosis of organic mental disorders was rarely found. The vast majority of the psychiatric consultants were likely to recommend medication and psychological intervention.

CONCLUSION

Even though there is a low psychiatric consultation rate among the obstetric inpatients, it does not mean that the prevalence rate of mental disorders is low in the obstetric patients. Psychiatric problems may be neglected or happen after patients are discharged. Organic mental disorders were rarely found in the obstetric patients which suggested a different pattern of mental disorders in the obstetric patients compared to other patients. The stress during child delivery needs further study for it may exacerbate or predispose a mental disorder. It is suggested that collaboration between obstetric staff and the consultation-liaison psychiatrists may provide better care for pregnant women patients.

Molecular cloning and expression of human Gal beta 1,3GalNAc alpha 2,3-sialytransferase (hST3Gal II)

A cDNA of human Gal beta 1,3GalNAc alpha 2,3-sialytransferase (hST3Gal II) which has been known to exhibit much more acceptor substrate preference for glycolipid than for O-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins, was isolated from the human liver cDNA library by plaque hybridization using the cDNA of mouse ST3Gal II (mST3Gal II) cloned previously as a probe. Comparative analysis of this cDNA with mST3Gal II indicates 89 and 94% homologies in the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, between the two sequences in the predicted coding region. Northern analysis indicated that the expression of hST3Gal II mRNA is tissue-specific, it being prominent in skeletal muscle and heart, while that in lung and kidney is very low. This enzyme expressed in COS cells showed a similar activity with that of mST3Gal II.

Conversion disorders in childhood and adolescence: a psychiatric consultation study in a general hospital

From March 1986 to April 1995, 418 consecutive psychiatric consultations for patients aged 18 or below were completed. Ten of these patients met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th. edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for a conversion disorder. The medical and psychiatric consultation records of these patients were reviewed. Chief conversion symptoms included pseudoseizure (four cases), gait disturbance (two cases), abnormal movement (one case), four limbs weakness (one case), aphonia (one case) and tunnel vision (one case). The psychosocial problems of the patients included family problems (seven cases), interpersonal problems (two case) and concurrent physical illness (one case). Six patients (60%) manifested complete remission and others showed improvement of the symptoms.

Aggressive polyfibromatosis: a 10 year follow-up

Polyfibromatosis syndrome is a condition characterized by the occurrence of several cutaneous fibrotic conditions including Dupuytren's contracture and keloid formation. A 10 year follow-up of a patient with an aggressive type of polyfibromatosis associated with erosive arthropathy is presented. The underlying pathogenesis and management of this uncommon condition is discussed.

The carbohydrate moiety of the bermuda grass antigen BG60. New oligosaccharides of plant origin

BG60 is an important allergen of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) pollen, which causes allergic responses in human. It was suggested that its carbohydrate moiety may be relevant to allergic reaction (Su, S. N., Lau, G. X., Shu, P., Yang, S. Y., Huang, S. W., and Lee, Y. C. (1996) J. Allergy Clin. Immunol., in press). Therefore, the structure of the carbohydrate moiety in BG60 was investigated. The N-linked oligosaccharides were released from the glycopeptides of BG60 by digesting with a glycoamidase from sweet almond and reductively aminated with a fluorescent reagent, 2-aminopyridine. The mixture of pyridylaminated oligosaccharides were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using an octadecylsilyl (ODS) column. Five oligosaccharide fractions were isolated, and each fraction was found to be homogeneous by HPLC on an amide-silica column. The structure of each of the oligosaccharides was analyzed by the two-dimensional mapping technique (Tomiya, N., Awaya, J., Kurono, M., Endo, S., Arata, Y., and Takahashi, N. (1988) Anal. Biochem. 171, 73-90), in tandem with sequential exoglycosidase digestion. The two most abundant oligosaccharides, A and B, have an unusual structural feature, i.e. the presence of an L-Fuc alpha-(1,3)-linked to Asn-linked GlcNAc without a Xyl beta-(1,2)-linked to the branching Man (see below). To the best of our knowledge, these are the first such oligosaccharides found in plant glycoproteins.

The role of video-assisted thoracic surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of indeterminate pulmonary lesion

Patients with indeterminate pulmonary lesions usually require a definite diagnosis for proper management. The conventional diagnostic procedures such as bronchoscopy and transthoracic needle biopsy sometimes fail to obtain a decisive answer, thus a more aggressive diagnostic procedure will be needed. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has provided an alternative for open thoracotomy for definite diagnosis in these conditions. Thirty-three patients with indeterminate pulmonary lesions received VATS in National Taiwan University Hospital. Of these patients, twenty-eight manifested with coin lesion and five had diffuse pulmonary infiltration before operation. Traditional diagnostic procedures, i.e. bronchoscopy or transthoracic needle biopsy, could not give a definite diagnosis for these patients. A definite diagnosis was obtained after thoracoscopy in all of these patients. The mean operation time was 129 minutes (range, 180 to 45 minutes). The mean duration of chest tube drainage was 4.1 days (range, 1 to 7 days). The mean postoperative hospital stay of elective surgery without subsequent chemotherapy or radiotherapy was 9.5 days (range, 5 to 14 days). The patients received 2.4 times parental narcotics injection for analgesia on average (range, 0 to 6 times). There is no operation-related death in this series. Three patients had prolonged air leak with seven days of chest tube drainage. Two patients, with CMV and chronic interstitial pneumonia, have mortality from their underlying disease later. VATS is a safe and effective procedure not only for diagnosis, but also for treatment in the management of indeterminate pulmonary lesions.

Effect of cholestyramine on the formation of pigment gallstone in high carbohydrate diet-fed hamsters

This study was designed to investigate the effect of cholestyramine on the formation of pigment gallstones in high carbohydrate diet-fed hamsters and whether that effect occurred because of cholecystokinin action. Forty seven hamsters were divided into three groups: group I(n = 16) was fed on normal rodent chow(43% carbohydrate), group II(n = 14) was fed on a high CHO diet(65% carbohydrate), group III(n = 17) was fed on a high CHO diet containing 4% cholestyramine. Gallstones developed in 0% of group I, 42.9% of group II and 5.9% of group III(P < 0.05, group II vs III). To evaluate the chronic status of cholecystokinin level, the wet weight of pancreas and the average area of pancreatic acinar in microscopic high power field were measured. There was no significant difference between group II and group III in pancreatic weight and average area of pancreatic acinar(P > 0.05). In gallbladder bile analysis, there was also no significant difference between group II and group III in cholesterol, phospholipid, total calcium, total bilirubin and bile acid levels. In conclusion, cholestyramine decreases the frequency of pigment gallstone formation in high CHO diet-fed hamsters, but it is not clear whether the mechanism of cholestyramine decreasing the gallstone formation is due to the action of cholecystokinin.