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Article: Researchers prevent gallstones in mice with drug.
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- November 30, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Sue Goetinck Ambrose
DALLAS _ Dallas scientists have used a drug to prevent gallstones from forming in laboratory mice. The findings could lead to another weapon to combat gallstone disease, which every year leads more than 500,000 Americans to have their gallbladders removed.
Scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas gave mice a drug that altered the composition of their bile, the greenish liquid stored in the gallbladder that helps rid the body of cholesterol. With the drug treatment, mice ordinarily prone to form gallstones showed no signs of the disease.
"This is another potential agent," said Dr. ...