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The formation of cholesterol gallstones involves very complex imbalances, such as alterations in the secretion of biliary lipids (which involves the ABCG5, ABCG8, ABCB4 and ABCB11 transporters), biochemical and immunological reactions in the gallbladder that produce biliary sludge (mucins), physicochemical changes in the structure of cholesterol (crystallization), alterations in gallbladder motility, changes in the intestinal absorption of cholesterol (ABCG5/8 transporters and Niemann-Pick C1L1 protein) and alterations in small intestine motility. Some of these proteins have been studied at the clinical and experimental levels, but more research is required. In this review, we discuss the results of studies on some molecules involved in the pathophysiology of gallstones that may be future therapeutic targets to prevent the development of this disease, and possible sites for treatment based mainly on the absorption of intestinal cholesterol (Niemann-Pick C1L1 and ABCG5/8 proteins)., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The formation of cholesterol gallstones is a very complex and polygenic disorder that involves an alteration of the secretion of bile lipids, cholesterol crystallization, important immunological reactions in the gallbladder tissue, formation of biliary sludge composed of mucin, and inadequate gallbladder motility. The search for a therapeutic target is oriented towards decreasing bile secretion and intestinal absorption of cholesterol, in which Niemann-Pick C1L1 (NPC1L1) proteins play an important role. In basic and clinical studies, regulating the expression of these proteins can reduce intestinal, liver, plasma and bile cholesterol levels, a therapeutic effect that would be useful not only for treating the disease, but to prevent it, given the large quantity of risk factors. We discuss these effects in this review and propose NPC1L1 proteins as future therapeutic targets of cholesterol gallstones disease., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Raphanus sativus L. var niger (black radish) is a plant of the cruciferous family with important ethnobotanical uses for the treatment of gallstones in Mexican traditional medicine. It has been established that the juice of black radish decreases cholesterol levels in plasma and dissolves gallstones in mice. Glucosinolates, the main secondary metabolites of black radish, can hydrolyze into its respective isothiocyanates and have already demonstrated antioxidant properties as well as their ability to diminish hepatic cholesterol levels; such therapeutic effects can prevent the formation of cholesterol gallstones. This disease is considered a current problem of public health. In the present review, we analyze and discuss the therapeutic effects of the main glucosinolates of black radish, as well as the effects that this plant has on cholesterol gallstones disease., (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)