Gallbladder function in experimental cholecystitis.

Experimental cholecystitis was induced by implanting gallstones from human beings into the gallbladder of the cat. Three months later the concentrating function of the gallbladder, the motility, and hepatic bile flow were studied by a perfusion technique in the anesthetized animal. Gallbladder function was correlated to morphologic changes. After 3 months, the cystic duct was patent in nine animals and bile was found in the gallbladder. In 17 animals the cystic duct was obstructed and colorless contents were found in the gallbladder. Animals with a patent cystic duct showed slight or moderate inflammation and intact concentrating activity in the gallbladder, whereas animals with obstructed animals had pronounced inflammation and continuous fluid "secretion" into the lumen. Both groups had increased bile outflow from the liver. Indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, promptly reversed gallbladder fluid "secretion" into absorption and reduced the increased bile flow to a normal level. These results are discussed in relation to clinical findings in man. A mechanism by which prostaglandins are responsible for the inflammatory gallbladder "secretion" and the increased bile flow from the liver is proposed.