The effect of caerulein on epithelial growth in the mouse gall bladder.

Caerulein, a synthetic decapeptide, was injected into mice in order to study its effect on DNA-synthesis activity in the gall bladder epithelium. Histoautoradiography after the injection of labeled thymidine was used. Higher labeling indices were observed at 8, 12, 12 and 24 h after caerulein injection. These data indicate that caerulein, apart from its cholecystokinetic effects, exerts a trophic effect on the gall bladder mucosa.