Endogenous cholecystokinin drives gallbladder emptying in dogs.

We investigated the effect of fat in the duodenum on the gallbladder emptying in seven dogs prepared with gastric, duodenal, and gallbladder cannulas. Gallbladder volume was measured at 15-min intervals, and venous blood samples were obtained at regular intervals for 2.5 h. Intraduodenal administration of Lipomul (pH 5.0, corn oil) in three different doses (1.1, 2.2, and 4.4 mmol/10 min) resulted in significant increases in gallbladder emptying in a dose-dependent manner (r = 0.8668, P less than 0.001). Likewise, the increase in integrated cholecystokinin (CCK) release in response to Lipomul was also dose dependent (r = 0.7334, P less than 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found between integrated CCK release and gallbladder emptying in response to Lipomul (P less than 0.001). To determine the role of circulating endogenous CCK on gallbladder emptying effects of intravenous administration of proglumide and a rabbit anti-CCK serum on gallbladder emptying were studied. Gallbladder emptying was virtually abolished by the antiserum. Proglumide not only abolished the emptying but also increased gallbladder volume. Thus we conclude that in dogs the gallbladder emptying in response to fat in the upper small intestine depends on increased circulating endogenous CCK.