Structural Characterization of Gallbladder Stones Using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction

Title:Structural Characterization of Gallbladder Stones Using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction

Volume: 21 Issue: 7

Author(s): Hassan A. Almarshad, Sayed M. Badawy*Abdalkarem F. Alsharari

Affiliation:

• National Center for Clinical and Environmental Toxicology, NECTR, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo,Egypt

Keywords: X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, cholesterol, gallstone, electron microscopy analysis.

Abstract: Aim and Objective: Formation of the gallbladder stones is a common disease and a major health problem. The present study aimed to identify the structures of the most common types of gallbladder stones using X-ray spectroscopic techniques, which provide information about the process of stone formation.

Material and Method: Phase and elemental compositions of pure cholesterol and mixed gallstones removed from gallbladders of patients were studied using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy combined with scanning electron microscopy analysis and X-ray diffraction.

Results: The crystal structures of gallstones which coincide with standard patterns were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Plate-like cholesterol crystals with laminar shaped and thin layered structures were clearly observed for gallstone of pure cholesterol by scanning electron microscopy; it also revealed different morphologies from mixed cholesterol stones. Elemental analysis of pure cholesterol and mixed gallstones using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the different formation processes of the different types of gallstones.

Conclusion: The method of fast and reliable X-ray spectroscopic techniques has numerous advantages over the traditional chemical analysis and other analytical techniques. The results also revealed that the X-ray spectroscopy technique is a promising technique that can aid in understanding the pathogenesis of gallstone disease.

Cite this article as:

Almarshad A. Hassan, Badawy M. Sayed*, Alsharari F. Abdalkarem, Structural Characterization of Gallbladder Stones Using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction, Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening 2018; 21 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1386207321666180913113803