[Ultrasonographic evaluation of gallbladder and gastric emptying after ingestion of water with various saline compositions].

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of gallbladder and gastric emptying after ingestion of a saline enriched water ("Acqua Santa" di Chianciano) in comparison with a commercial oligomineral water.

STUDY DESIGN

A 40-minute blind prospective study.

LOCATION

The study was performed at the Terme of Chianciano (Siena) for subjects of group A and at the Institute of Clinica Medica Generale and Terapia Medica of the University of Bologna for subjects of group B.

PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS

Two groups of healthy subjects were studied. Each group consisted of 12 subjects without gallbladder disease.

EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL

Fasting subjects of group A ingested alternatively, for two consecutive mornings, 400 ml of the saline enriched water at the natural temperature of 33 degrees C or 400 ml of oligomineral water warmed to the same temperature. Subjects of group B ingested the same waters at 18 degrees C.

METHODS

Gastric and gallbladder emptying were evaluated, after ingestion of the different waters, by means of ultrasonography.

RESULTS

In both groups gallbladder emptying was significantly higher after ingestion of the saline enriched water. On the other hand gastric emptying was similar with both waters.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that saline enriched water determines a greater emptying of the gallbladder in comparison with an oligomineral water. This effects is not related to gastric emptying but rather it is due to a higher concentration of saline components and thus to their possible effect on gallbladder motility.