Clinical Aspects of Cholecystokinin Release and Gallbladder Contraction

Abstract

The development of sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays for cholecystokinin (CCK) and reliable techniques to quantitate gallbladder emptying has enabled studies to elucidate the physiology and pathophysiology of CCK secretion and gallbladder contraction. Both CCK and the cholinergic system are involved in the regulation of postprandial gallbladder emptying. CCK is the major factor responsible for gallbladder contraction during the intestinal phase of digestion The cholinergic system regulates gallbladder contraction during the cephalic and possibly also the gastric phase of digestion and modulates the gallbladder responsiveness to CCK during the intestinal phase. In recent years, research has focused on various pathophysiological conditions suspected to be accompanied by alterations in gallbladder motility and CCK secretion. Abnormalities of CCK secretion or gallbladder sensitivity to CCK have been described in coeliac disease, gallstone disease, pancreatic insufficiency, postgastrectomy, postvagotomy, Chagas' disease, and diabetes mellitus.

Key Words:

• Cholecystokinin
• gallbladder motility
• pathophysiology
• physiology