Influence of Electrical Vagal Stimulation and Acetylcholine on the Function of the Feline Gallbladder

Abstract

The effects of electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves on the function of the feline gallbladder and hepatic bile outflow were studied with a perfusion technique in vivo. After elimination of the muscarinic receptors with atropine, efferent stimulation of the cut vagus nerve in the neck relaxed the gallbladder, reduced the net water absorption rate across its wall, and increased the bile outflow from the liver. The results imply that the concentrating function of the gallbladder and the bile formation in the liver are under regulatory control by noncholinergic, nonadrenergic nerve fibres in the vagus nerves.

Key-words:

• Acetylcholine
• gallbladder
• liver
• pancreas
• vagus
• water absorption