Characteristics of amino acid profile and incretin hormones in patients with gallstone disease – a pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Gallstone disease is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and increased risk of incident ischemic heart disease. It is known that the profile of branchedchain amino acids (BCAAs) is altered in cardiac diseases as well as metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. The role of BCAAs in gallstone disease is still not known. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of essential amino acids and incretin hormones in patients with cholecystolithiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 31 patients with cholecystolithiasis and 25 gallstonefree controls. The levels of free exogenous and endogenous amino acids, bile acids, glucagonlike peptide 1, glucosedependent insulinotropic polypeptide, ghrelin, C-peptide, and insulin were measured in the fasting state and 1 hour after consumption of a 300kcal mixed meal. RESULTS: The mean fasting and postprandial levels of valine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine were higher in the study group than in controls (all P.