Abstract
It is well known that gallstones are frequently found in l i ver cirrhosis. Although several hypothesis have been proposed, no definite conclusion has been reached concerning this reason. The present study attempted to elucidate the lithogenic factors from the gallbladder function by examining the ejection rate of gallbladder bile and measurement of blood levels of cholecystokinin (CCK). Fasting patients were injected intravenously with 99mTc-pyridoxy1-5-methyltryptophan (PMT), then 60 minutes later, the patient ingested two egg yolks. Thirty minutes after ingestion of the egg yolks the rate of ejection of gallbladder bile was significantly lower (42.9%)than in healthy subjects (66.4%). Following egg yolk loading, high value of blood CCK levels were recognized before egg yolk loading in cirrhotic patients compared to that of the healthy controls and following the loading the more high value were recognized in cirrhotic patients. Our studies showed that poor gallbladder contraction and bile stesis are accompanied by abnormal CCK secretion in liver cirrhosis, and suggesting that this condition is predisposing to the formation of gallstones.
