Abstract
Strips from human gallbladder removed at surgery were exposed to cholecystokinin octopeptide CCK-OP 15 nM and were subjected to electrical field stimulation (EFS)in vitro using parameters for selective stimulation of nerves (5- to 10-sec trains of 0.3-msec pulses at 10 Hz). An adjacent strip from the same specimen was processed for histological examination. These preparations were given a numerical score for inflammatory change. The strength of contraction in response to CCK-OP was inversely related to the severity of inflammation. Gallbladders with no response to EFS had a higher inflammation score (median 11, range 5–16) than those with a response (median 7, range 3–12). We conclude that inflammatory changes in human gallbladder impair responses to neural and hormonal stimulation, but we are unable to determine unequivocally in this study whether this is a result of damage to nerves or muscle cells. However, the observation that some strips were able to contract in response to CCK-OP but not to neural stimulation suggests the possibility of neural damage in gallbladder inflammation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
McKirdy HC: Novel autonomic transmitters and upper gastrointestinal function.In International Encyclopedia of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Section 135, Novel Peripheral Transmitters. Bell C (ed). New York, Pergamon Press, 1991, pp 221–246
Lennon F, Feeley TM, Clanachan AS, Scott GW: Effects of histamine receptor stimulation on diseased gallbladder and cystic duct. Gastroenterology 87:252–262, 1984
Sunderland GT, Sutherland CG, Carter DC: Gallbladder motility in the presence of gallstones. Gut 28:A1360, 1987
Lundgren O, Svanvik J, Jivegard L: Enteric nervous system. II Physiology and pathophysiology of the gallbladder. Dig Dis Sci 34:284–288, 1989
Hanyu N, Dodds WJ, Layman RD, Hogan WJ, Chey WY, Takamashi I: Mechanisms of cholecystokinin-induced contraction of the opossum gallbladder. Gastroenterology 98:1299–1306, 1990
Brotschi EA, Pattavino J, Williams LF Jr: Intrinsic nerves affect gallbladder contraction in the guinea pig. Gastroenterology 99:826–830, 1990
Thompson JC, Fried GM, Ogden WD, Fagan CJ, Inoue K, Wiener I, Watson LC: Correlation between release of cholecystokinin and contraction of the gallbladder in patients with gallstones. Ann Surg 195:670–676, 1982
Bailey IS, Stumpf T, Walsh TN, Johnson CD: Raised plasma cholecystokinin after cholecystectomy or truncal vagotomy and pyloraplasty. Br J Surg 79:513, 1992
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McKirdy, M.L., Johnson, C.D. & McKirdy, H.C. Inflammation impairs neurally mediated responses to electrical field stimulation in isolated strips of human gallbladder muscle. Digest Dis Sci 39, 2229–2234 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02090376
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02090376