THE EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM SULFATE ON THE HUMAN GALLBLADDER

Abstract

Purpose: Magnesium Sulfate has been used to treat many diseases, such as eclampsia, status asthmaticus. Mg SO4 may increase bile secretion and relax the sphincter Of Oddi, resulting in emptying and consequently a reduction of Gallbladder volume. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of magnesium on human Gallbladder by measuring the gallbladder volume. Methods: A double-blinded prospective study with 6 healthy volunteers. Each volunteer was randomly assigned three different meals on three different days: a fatty meal (positive control), normal saline (negative control) and 2 grams of oral magnesium sulfate. All volunteers fasted overnight and underwent an ultrasound to check the measurements of the gallbladder prior to the administration of a meal and thereafter at intervals of 30 min, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 4 hours After meal (total of 5 ultrasounds each day). The ultrasound operator was blinded to the designated meal during the entire study. The mean post-meal Gallbladder volumes and post-meal percentage change in Gallbladder volume were calculated. Paired T test was used to compare the pre-meal and post-meal Gallbladder volumes, as well as the post-meal Gallbladder volumes between normal saline, fatty meal and MgSO4. Results: The mean pre-meal Gallbladder volumes for fatty meal, MgSO4, and normal saline were 14.22 cc, 14.42cc and 12.52cc respectively. The mean post-meal Gallbladder volumes for the fatty meal, MgSO4, and normal saline groups were, 9.4cc, 11.3cc, 11.6cc respectively, while the mean percentage change post-meal were 32.8%, 24.1%, 5.1%, respectively. There was a significant change in Gallbladder volume post-meal after administration of fatty meal (p = 0.005) and MgSO4 (p = 0.01) compared to pre-meal volume There was a significant difference between mean percentage change in Gallbladder volume between normal saline and fat (p = 0.01) and between normal saline and MgSO4 (p = 0.03). The mean post-meal Gallbladder volumes for the MgSO4 at 30minutes, 1 hours, 2 hours and 4 hours were 11.79, 10.94, 10.65, and 11.98 respectively. The maximal effect occurred at 1 to 2 hours post its administration with p values of 0.0092 and 0.0074 respectively. The mean post-meal Gallbladder volume for normal saline at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours and 4 hours were 11.92, 11.41, 11.44, and 12 respectively. Conclusions: Our study shows that oral administration of MgSO4 has a significant effect on Gallbladder volume with maximum effect at 1 and 2 hours after medication.