A simple method for the rigorous derivation of lithogenic index or percent cholesterol
saturation, embodying both relative and total lipid concentrations, is described. We recently
demonstrated that under physiological conditions only two key physical-chemical variables,
the bile salt-lecithin ratio and the total lipid (bile salts+ lecithin+ cholesterol) concentration
determine the equilibrium cholesterol solubility of bile. Of relevance to gallstone formation
and dissolution in man is that the influence of variations in total lipid concentration on …