[Effects of drinking Tettuccio di Montecatini mineral waters on gallbladder emptying and functioning hepatic mass]

Real time echography and galactose loading test were used to evaluate changes in gallbladder emptying and functioning hepatic mass in dyspeptic patients after drinking Tettuccio mineral water. The above tests showed that Tettuccio mineral water is apt to provoke a rapid, intense gallbladder contraction which appeared to be slightly more protracted when the tests were repeated after two weeks of treatment with the mineral water. This action appears to be due to the composition of the alkaline sulfate saline water rather than to its osmolar concentration since the water is more effective in bringing about gallbladder emptying than saline solutions of higher osmolarity.