[Choleretic and cholagogic effect of sulphuric sulfate water from the springs of Tobiano in cholestasis in alcohol related liver diseases].

Twenty male alcoholics (age: 40-60 years) abstinent for 2 weeks and affected by liver steatosis with positive laboratory indexes of biliary stasis (increased levels of total and free bilirubin, gamma glutamil transpeptidase and hepatic alkaline phosphatase) were treated for 3 weeks with 500 ml/day p.o. of placebo (aqua fontis) (Group I:N. 10) or sulfureous sulfate calcic water of the "Pergoli" spring-Tabiano (Parma, Italy) (Group II: N. 10). The abovementioned laboratory indexes of biliary stasis were measured in groups I and II before and after water treatments and were compared to values obtained in 10 age-matched normal male subjects. In addition, both before and after water treatments, alcoholic patients underwent a double blind test, where individual sensations of itch were scored. Finally, in order to establish the effect of water treatments on gallbladder contraction, the bidimensional areas at maximal longitudinal and transverse diameters were echographically evaluated in alcoholics before (time 0) and 20, 40 and 60 minutes after drinking in 10 minutes a 500 ml load of placebo (Group I) or Pergoli water (Group II). The results showed a significant reduction in the measured gallbladder area in group II alcoholics, but not in patients of group I. Furthermore, three weeks of treatment with Pergoli water significantly reduced to normal total and direct bilirubin levels, the enzyme markers of biliary stasis and the subjective sensation of itch. These parameters did not change in alcoholics of group I after placebo treatment. These data demonstrate that the oral administration of sulfureous sulfate calcic water Pergoli exerts a cholagogue activity in humans. The cholagogue activity together with the wellknown choleretic effect of this water argue in favor of the possibility for its use as support treatment to the therapy of biliary stasis in alcoholism.