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Published on: November 27, 2016
Gallbladder mucosal blood flow increases during early cholesterol gallstone formation
R L Conter1, J L Washington, C C Liao
1Department of Surgery, Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey.
Gastroenterology
|May 11, 1992
Summary
Lithogenic bile, a factor in gallstone formation, significantly increases gallbladder mucosal blood flow. This blood flow alteration may play a key role in the development of cholesterol gallstones.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Physiology
Background:
- Gallbladder absorption is elevated during early cholesterol gallstone formation.
- The intraluminal presence of lithogenic bile influences this absorption.
- The impact of lithogenic bile on gallbladder mucosal blood flow remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if lithogenic gallbladder and hepatic bile enhance gallbladder mucosal blood flow.
- To test this hypothesis in cholesterol-fed prairie dogs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hydrogen gas clearance to measure gallbladder mucosal blood flow.
- Employed crossover studies involving the administration of lithogenic and nonlithogenic bile in control and cholesterol-fed prairie dogs.
Main Results:
- Cholesterol-fed prairie dogs exhibited significantly increased basal gallbladder mucosal blood flow (64.94 mL.min-1.100 g-1) compared to controls (35.57 mL.min-1.100 g-1).
- Lithogenic gallbladder bile increased blood flow by 26% in controls; nonlithogenic bile decreased it by 58% in cholesterol-fed animals.
- Lithogenic hepatic bile increased blood flow by 30% in controls; nonlithogenic bile decreased it by 29% in cholesterol-fed animals.
Conclusions:
- Alterations in gallbladder mucosal blood flow are influenced by the presence and absence of lithogenic bile.
- These changes in blood flow may contribute to the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone formation.
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