Effect of taurine conjugated bile salts with and without lecithin on water and electrolyte transport in the canine gallbladder in vivo.

Because dihydroxy bile salts alter water and electrolyte transport in the intestine, we tested the effects of taurine conjugated bile salts on water and electrolyte transport in the canine gallbladder in vivo. 16.7 mM taurodeoxycholate or taurochenodeoxycholate completely abolished net absorption of water (P less than 0.01). 40 mM taurocholate significantly reduced net water absorption (P less than 0.05), whereas 16.7 mM taurocholate had no significant effect. Net movement of electrolytes was closely related to net water movement. Water and electrolyte absorption continued undisturbed when the gallbladders were exposed to 16.7 mM taurodeoxycholate together with 5.6 mM lecithin. Biliary lecithin, therefore, is important for the protection of the mucosa of the gallbladder from the potentially damaging effects of bile salts.