Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 7, Issue 1 15-19, Copyright © 1988 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
A model for the comparison of pharmacologic agents influencing gallbladder contraction
D. Schlauch, R. Gladisch, R. Elfner and D. L. Heene
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, West Germany.
Investigations on pharmacologic effects on gallbladder contraction must
take into consideration the spontaneous motility of the gallbladder. In 20
healthy subjects, we measured the area of the gallbladder sonographically
over 10 h at hourly intervals. The spontaneous motility expressed as a
coefficient of variation varied between 1.6 and 13% (mean value, 6.3%).
Afterwards, we checked the cholecystokinetic action of ceruletide and fatty
meal in eight subjects. Here, an alteration of the area by four times the
previously found coefficient of variation was defined as significant. A
significant contraction occurred earlier after ceruletide administration
than after a fatty meal (10 min as compared to 20 min). This lasted longer
(40 min. vs. 25 min) and led to a very much more marked reduction in area
(69% as compared to 53%). These differences were significant on a 5% level.
The end of the contraction did not differ (50 min as compared to 45 min).
We conclude that drugs which affect gallbladder contraction can be compared
with consideration of spontaneous motility.
