Metals in gallstones in Japan and in the Peoples' Republic of China

Concentrations of 8 metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Mg and Ca) in 3 kinds of gallstones (bilirubin stone, black stone, mixed stone) obtained in Japan and in the Peoples' Republic (P.R.) of China were determined. No significant differences of metal concentrations were observed between Japan and the P.R. China except Pb and Mg in bilirubin stone and Mg and Ca in black stone. The concentration of Ca is higher than any other metal in every kind of gallstones. In these 3 kinds of gallstones metal compositions in Japan seem to be almost similar to those in the P.R. China. Between Japan and the P.R. China the pattern of metal contents also seems to be almost similar in all 3 kinds of stones. Considering the kinds of stones, the patterns of metal content of bilirubin stone and black stone seem to be almost similar to each other. But, the metal contents of mixed stone seem to be different from those of bilirubin stone and black stone.