Effects of Intraduodenal Acid on Gallbladder Net Water Absorption and Motility in the Cat

Abstract

A recently described perfusion technique has been used in the study of gallbladder function during acid infusion into the duodenum in the anaesthetized cat. The method allows simultaneous measurements of the net water absorption, and thereby the concentrating function of the gallbladder, as well as the motility of the organ. Duodenal acidification, which is known to release several gastrointestinal hormones, was found to reduce the net water absorption and induce a contraction in the gallbladder. The results are discussed in relation to earlier studies of gallbladder function as influenced by gastrointestinal hormones.

Key-words:

• CCK
• gallbladder absorption
• intestinal acidification
• secretin