AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 253, Issue 5 650-G655, Copyright © 1987 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Altered sensitivity of the gallbladder to cholecystokinin octapeptide in irritable bowel syndrome

J. E. Kellow, L. J. Miller, S. F. Phillips, A. R. Zinsmeister and J. W. Charboneau
Gastroenterology Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.

We compared responses of the gallbladder to graded intravenous infusions of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-OP) in normal controls (n = 8) and patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with predominant constipation (n = 8) or diarrhea (n = 8). The doses of CCK-OP ranged from subphysiological (negligible contraction of the gallbladder) to supraphysiological (90% contraction of gallbladder and abdominal side effects) amounts. All gallbladders contracted progressively in response to CCK-OP, and a Weibull model (power exponential function) described precisely the gallbladder's response to CCK-OP. Patients with IBS responded differently from normal patients; those with constipation contracted their gallbladders more and those with diarrhea contracted less in response to the peptide. Gallbladders were also stimulated with a high-fat, liquid meal; all patients' gallbladders contracted, but clear differences between groups could not be demonstrated postprandially. The results suggest that the smooth muscle of the gallbladder in IBS has an abnormal sensitivity to CCK-OP, and the results support the concept that IBS can be a generalized abnormality of the smooth muscle of the digestive tract.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M Simren, H Abrahamsson, and E S Bjornsson An exaggerated sensory component of the gastrocolonic response in patients with irritable bowel syndrome Gut, January 1, 2001; 48(1): 20 - 27. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K W HEATON Gall bladder and bowel: the links multiply Gut, August 1, 1999; 45(2): 166 - 167. [Full Text]

				B. Coffin, S. Fossati, B. Flourie, M. Lemann, P. Jouet, C. Franchisseur, R. Jian, and J.-C. Rambaud Regional effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on colonic phasic and tonic motility in healthy humans Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, March 1, 1999; 276(3): G767 - G772. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]