The effect of gastrointestinal hormones on bile flow, bile lipid composition, and lithogenicity in rats.

The contribution of major gastrointestinal hormones to bile secretion was studied in 35 male Wistar rats with biliary, duodenal, and vena cava cannulae. Intravenous infusion of secretin, pancreozymin, and glucagon increased bile flow but only secretin affected bile lipid output. OP-CCK exerted the weakest choleretic effect. None of the hormones significantly changed the lithogenic index. Thus, gastrointestinal hormones could play an important role in the regulation of bile flow and bile lipid secretion in rats.