PURPOSE: Dioctahedral smectite is an alumina silicate of phyllitic structure and absorbs bile acid in the intestine, forming a non-absorbable complex preventing enterohepatic circulation. The purpose of this study is to clarify the value of dioctahedral smectite and the adequate dosage, in combination with phototherapy, as well as to confirm whether it shortens the duration of hospitalization and to compare dioctahedral smectite with cholestyramine. METHODS: Total 45 full-term neonate with a total bilirubin level greater than 12 mg/dl were studied. The neonate were randomly divided into three groups : 1) Only phototherapy group (A) 2) 3.0 g/day dioctahedral smectite with phototherapy group (B) 3) 1.0 g/kg/day cholestyramine with phototherapy group (C). RESULTS: The mean serum bilirubin level of group B and C decreased significantly compared to group A at 48, 72 and 96 hours after the beginning of the study. The duration of phototherapy and hospitalization significantly decreased in group B and C. CONCLUSION: The data revealed that oral administration of dioctahedral smectite not only increased the efficacy of phototherapy, but also shortened the duration of phototherapy and can substitute for cholestyramine.
Administration, Oral* ; Aluminum Oxide ; Bile ; Bilirubin ; Cholestyramine Resin* ; Enterohepatic Circulation ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal* ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; Phototherapy* ; Silicates

This study was designed to investigate the effect of cholestyramine on the formation of pigment gallstones in high carbohydrate diet-fed hamsters and whether that effect occurred because of cholecystokinin action. Forty seven hamsters were divided into three groups: group I(n = 16) was fed on normal rodent chow(43% carbohydrate), group II(n = 14) was fed on a high CHO diet(65% carbohydrate), group III(n = 17) was fed on a high CHO diet containing 4% cholestyramine. Gallstones developed in 0% of group I, 42.9% of group II and 5.9% of group III(P< 0.05, group II vs III). To evaluate the chronic status of cholecystokinin level, the wet weight of pancreas and the average area of pancreatic acinar in microscopic high power field were measured. There was no significant difference between group II and group III in pancreatic weight and average area of pancreatic acinar(P> 0.05). In gallbladder bile analysis, there was also no significant difference between group II and group III in cholesterol, phospholipid, total calcium, total bilirubin and bile acid levels. In conclusion, cholestyramine decreases the frequency of pigment gallstone formation in high CHO diet-fed hamsters, but it is not clear whether the mechanism of cholestyramine decreasing the gallstone formation is due to the action of cholecystokinin.
Animal ; Bilirubin/metabolism ; Cholecystokinin/*analysis ; Cholelithiasis/*pathology ; Cholesterol/metabolism ; Cholestyramine/*administration & dosage ; Dietary Carbohydrates/*administration & dosage ; Female ; Gallbladder/*metabolism/pathology ; Hamsters ; Male ; Mesocricetus ; Organ Weight ; Pancreas/physiopathology ; Phospholipids/metabolism ; Pigmentation ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't