Biliary function studies in patients with celiac sprue.

Eleven patients with celiac sprue were studied. Biliary function in the basal state and gallbladder response to perfusion of the small intestinal mucosa with magnesium sulfate was assessed. It was shown that bilirubin output in basal conditions is decreased in these patients and that magnesium sulfate does not stimulate gallbladder contraction. In addition it was shown that in 4 of the 11 cases studied there was a complete lack of bile reaching the duodenum in the basal state as well as in 7 of 11 cases in the digestive period. That gallbladder function was intact was shown by the normal response to intravenous CCK-PZ administration, and the patency of the common bile duct was demonstrated by intravenous cholangiography. Thus the already impaired fat absorption in celiac sprue is magnified by the lack of bile delivery, and this is probably due to an alteration in the synthesis or release of endogenous CCK-PZ.