Gallstone disease is a common disease of the biliary system， which is jointly affected by environmental and genetic factors. With the change in dietary patterns， there has been a continuous increase in the the proportion of patients with cholesterol gallstones （CGS）， which is a common type of gallstone disease. Studies have shown that genetic factors play a crucial role in the formation of CGS. The formation of CGS mainly depends on two key links of the supersaturation of cholesterol in bile and the presence of mucin that promotes the nucleation of cholesterol crystals. These two processes involve the regulation of multiple proteins. Variations in certain genes can affect the efficiency of cholesterol transport and even change the rate of crystallization and nucleation， thereby influencing the formation of gallstones. This article mainly discusses the key genes associated with cholesterol transport and crystal nucleation， as well as the impact of their mutations on the formation of CGS， in order to gain a deeper understanding of the genetic mechanism of CGS and provide new targets for future clinical treatment.

AIM: To investigate the autophagy of breast cancer cells induced by baicalein and to explore its mechanism.METHODS: The effects of baicalein on the viability of MCF-7 cells and 4T1 cells were investigated by MTT assay, and the dosage of the drug was determined.The expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and LC3-I in the MCF-7 cells and 4T1 cells treated with baicalein at doses of 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L, or combined with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) were determined by Western blot.In order to confirm the role of baicalein in autophagy, the effect of 3-MA on the apoptosis of both MCF-7 cells and 4T1 cells induced by baicalein was analyzed by flow cytometry.The protein levels of p-mTOR, mTOR, p-AKT and AKT were examined by Western blot and the role of AKT-mTOR pathway in the induction of autophagy in breast cancer induced by baicalein was determined by the combination of activators.RESULTS: Baicalein at 50 μmol/L and above doses significantly inhibited the viability of breast cancer cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.The expression of LC3-II/LC3-I in both MCF-7 cells and 4T1 cells was significantly enhanced after the action of baicalein, and the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I was significantly decreased after 3-MA addition.The results of flow cytometry showed that, compared with baicalein group, the combination of baicalein and 3-MA promoted the levels of necrosis and apoptosis.Moreover, the protein levels of p-mTOR and p-AKT were significantly decreased and were rescued by EGF, while their total protein levels were not changed.CONCLUSION: Baicalein induces autophagy through AKT-mTOR pathway both in MCF-7 cells and 4T1 cells.