Normal bile contains certain concentrations of bile salts and phospholipids, which can form mixed micelles with cholesterol and remain suspended in bile without precipitation. This state depends on the proportional balance among the components suspended in bile. Elevations in either the absolute concentration or the relative concentration of cholesterol (compared with total lipids) in bile can affect bile stability or cholesterol precipitation. Long-term feeding of animals with a high-cholesterol, high-fat, high-sucrose diet and vitamin C deprivation leads to increased cholesterol levels in vivo and relatively or absolutely decreased bile acid and phospholipid contents. The imbalance of these components results in supersaturation of cholesterol in bile and increased Ca²⁺, thereby promoting the formation of cholesterol gallstones.

C57BL/6 mice (male, 8 weeks old)

Modeling method: The model was successfully established after feeding with lithogenic diet for 8 weeks.

Evaluation indicators: gross observation, bile ELISA assay, HE staining

Gross observation of the gallbladder

Bile ELISA assay

HE staining of liver tissue