Gallbladder Motility Research Articles

Gallbladder Motor Function in Patients with Different Thyroid Hormone Status

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are known to affect cholesterol metabolism, bile acid synthesis and bile content. There are previous studies reporting increased prevalence of gallstone and common bile duct stone formation in hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to compare gallbladder (GB) motor function between euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid subjects by conventional ultrasonography. Eighteen euthyroid, 14 hypothyroid and 20 hyperthyroid, age, sex and body mass index matched subjects were included in the study. Etiology of hypothyroidism comprised of thyroidectomy, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and previous radioactive iodine therapy. Hyperthyroid group included patients with toxic nodular goitre and Graves' disease. Patients who have diseases or are under drug treatment known to affect biliary function were not included in the study. Fasting and post-stimulus GB volumes were measured by real-time conventional ultrasonography and computer unit (Aloka UST-979, 3.5 mHz electronic convex probe, Japan). No significant differences were noted for fasting, post-stimulus GB volumes and GB ejection fraction between euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid subjects. Measuring GB motility accurately is not straightforward because besides being not static during fasting, after a meal, intermittent emptying and refilling of GB occurs. Ultrasonography is affected by GB filling and measures "net" GB emptying. Although cumbersome, additional evaluation with cholescintigraphy which detects "absolute" GB emptying and is not affected by GB filling may provide complete assessment of motor function and may be more informative in evaluating subjects with different thyroid hormone status.

Natural History of Small Gallbladder Polyps Is Benign

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the natural history and pathogenesis of small gallbladder polyps (< 10mm, usually of the cholesterol type), particularly in Western populations. It is unclear if these polyps and gallstones represent different aspects of the same disease. The aim of this study was to characterize the natural history and pathogenesis of small gallbladder polyps. METHODS: Fifty-six Caucasian patients with small gallbladder polyps, 30 matched gallstone patients, and 30 controls were enrolled in this 5-year prospective study. Patients underwent a symptomatic questionnaire, abdominal ultrasonography, and ultrasonographic evaluation of gallbladder motility at baseline and yearly intervals for 5 years. Cholesterol saturation index, cholesterol crystals in bile, and apolipoprotein E genotype were also determined. RESULTS: Most patients with polyps (mean size: 5.3mm) were men (61%), asymptomatic, and had multiple polyps (57%). Polyps did not change in 91% of patients during follow-up. No subject experienced biliary pain or underwent cholecystectomy; four developed gallstones. Cholesterol saturation index was higher in patients with polyps or gallstones than in controls (P<0.05). Cholesterol crystals were more frequent in patients with polyps than in controls (P<0.0001) but less common than in gallstone patients (P<0.0001). Polyps and gallstones were associated with nonapolipoprotein E4 phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The natural history of small gallbladder polyps was benign, as no patient developed specific symptoms and/or morphological changes in polyps. Consequently, a “wait and see” policy is advisable in these patients. Polyps have some pathogenetic mechanisms in common with gallstones, but few patients developed gallstones.

Natural History of Small Gallbladder Polyps Is Benign: Evidence From a Clinical and Pathogenetic Study

Little is known about the natural history and pathogenesis of small gallbladder polyps (<10 mm, usually of the cholesterol type), particularly in Western populations. It is unclear if these polyps and gallstones represent different aspects of the same disease. The aim of this study was to characterize the natural history and pathogenesis of small gallbladder polyps. Fifty-six Caucasian patients with small gallbladder polyps, 30 matched gallstone patients, and 30 controls were enrolled in this 5-year prospective study. Patients underwent a symptomatic questionnaire, abdominal ultrasonography, and ultrasonographic evaluation of gallbladder motility at baseline and yearly intervals for 5 years. Cholesterol saturation index, cholesterol crystals in bile, and apolipoprotein E genotype were also determined. Most patients with polyps (mean size: 5.3 mm) were men (61%), asymptomatic, and had multiple polyps (57%). Polyps did not change in 91% of patients during follow-up. No subject experienced biliary pain or underwent cholecystectomy; four developed gallstones. Cholesterol saturation index was higher in patients with polyps or gallstones than in controls (P<0.05). Cholesterol crystals were more frequent in patients with polyps than in controls (P<0.0001) but less common than in gallstone patients (P<0.0001). Polyps and gallstones were associated with nonapolipoprotein E4 phenotypes. The natural history of small gallbladder polyps was benign, as no patient developed specific symptoms and/or morphological changes in polyps. Consequently, a "wait and see" policy is advisable in these patients. Polyps have some pathogenetic mechanisms in common with gallstones, but few patients developed gallstones.

Acute Effect of Alcohol on Postprandial Gallbladder Motility: A Placebo-controlled Cross Over Study

Aim: To investigate the acute effect of alcohol on postprandial gallbladder motility. Methods: Fifteen apparently healthy male subjects with body mass index less than 27kg/m2 were studied in a cross over experimental study using ultrasound scan. They first ingested 325ml of clean water and 330ml of cream milk containing 28g of milk fat after an overnight fast. Gallbladder volume decrement at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes postprandial were recorded through an ultrasound scan. On the second day of the study, the same subjects ingested 325ml of alcoholic beverage containing 7.5% volume alcohol and 330ml of cream milk containing 28g of milk fat after an overnight fast. Gallbladder volume decrement at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes postprandial were recorded through an ultrasound scan. Results: The mean gallbladder volumes on both days of the experiment were; day 1, 24.40+5.96cm3 and day 2, 25.33+5.93cm3. The mean 30th minute gallbladder contraction index (GBCI) on both days of the experiment were day 1, 69.68+9.49% and day 2, 72.40+9.78%. There was no difference in the GBCI when alcohol was ingested and when it was not (P>0.05). Conclusion: Though alcohol stimulates rapid postprandial gallbladder emptying, the effect was not significant and reduces rapidly with time. Alcohol ingestion has no acute effect on postprandial gallbladder motility in the first 30 minutes postprandial (P>0.05). Keywords: Gallbladder, Gallbladder motility, Gallbladder contraction index, Alcohol, Ultrasound. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 56-60

Gall bladder contractility in children with beta-thalassaemia

We studied gall bladder contractility in 61 children with beta-thalassaemia who were asymptomatic for gall bladder disease and 51 sex- and age-matched controls in Cairo, Egypt, using, andreal-time ultrasonography. Multiple gall bladder stones were present in 18.0% of thalassaemia patients and sludge in 6.6%. There were statistically significant differences between thalassaemia patients controls in gall bladder fasting volume, residual volume, emptying time and contraction index. There was significant positive correlation between fasting and residual volumes and age, weight and height, and between fasting volume and body mass index and serum ferritin level. Contraction index was negatively correlated with serum total bilirubin. Impaired gall bladder motility was evident in patients with beta-thalassaemia and it may be related to disease duration, serum ferritin and total serum bilirubin level.

Patients with iron deficiency anemia have an increased prevalence of gallstones

We determined the frequency of gallstones (GS) in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) patients and evaluated factors that could affect GS formation-like lipid levels and gallbladder (GB) motilities of the patients. One hundred and eleven IDA patients (88 females, 23 males; median age, 42) and 81 healthy controls (68 females, 13 males; median age, 42) were included into our study. The clinical findings of all IDA patients were recorded down; biochemical values and body mass index (BMI) were determined; and abdominal ultrasonography was performed. In addition, GB emptying was monitored by ultrasound at 30-min intervals for 2 h after a mixed meal in randomly chosen, age-matched 25 IDA patients and 26 controls. Fasting volume (FV), residual volume (RV), and ejection fraction (EF) for all GBs were determined. The frequency of GS plus cholecystectomy was significantly higher in IDA patients (15 cases, 13.5%) than in the control group (five cases, 6.2%, p = 0.048). IDA patients with GS plus cholecystectomy were older than those without GS plus cholecystectomy (p < 0.001). FV and EF did not differ between IDA and control groups (p > 0.05). On the other hand, RV was significantly higher in IDA group than in controls (p = 0.035). The frequency of GS in IDA patients was significantly higher than in controls. The increased prevalence of GS in IDA might be explained with impaired GB motility.

A putative role of ribonuclear inclusions and MBNL1 in the impairment of gallbladder smooth muscle contractility with cholelithiasis in myotonic dystrophy type 1

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant multisystemic disorder caused by expansion of unstable trinucleotide (CTG) repeats at 3′ untranslated region of the DMPK gene on chromosome 19q13.3. Mutant transcripts are retained in muscle nuclei as ribonuclear inclusions and interact with RNA-binding proteins, such as muscleblind-like protein 1 (MBNL1), leading to a reduction in their activity. The reduced MBNL1 activity has been associated to skeletal and cardiac muscle dysfunction. However, other organs and systems may be involved. It has been reported that 25–50% of DM1 patients have abdominal symptoms due to cholelithiasis or gallstones. Since impaired gallbladder motility plays an important role in gallstones formation, we have analyzed by FISH combined with MBNL1-immunofluorescence, the gallbladder obtained from a woman affected by DM1 who required a cholecystectomy at the age of 30. Gallbladders obtained from two no-DM1 subjects have been used as controls. Ribonuclear inclusions and MBNL1 foci accumulate and colocalize in nuclei of DM1 gallbladder smooth muscle cells. On the contrary, no ribonuclear inclusions are detectable in cell nuclei of control gallbladders and MBNL1 is uniformly distributed in smooth muscle cell nuclei. These results suggest that nuclear accumulation of MBNL1 and ribonuclear inclusions may have a direct adverse effect on gallbladder smooth muscle contractility and thus contribute to gallstones formation in DM1 patients.

Orlistat Inhibition of Intestinal Lipase Acutely Increases Appetite and Attenuates Postprandial Glucagon-Like Peptide-1-(7–36)-Amide-1, Cholecystokinin, and Peptide YY Concentrations

Intestinal lipase inhibition using tetrahydrolipstatin (Orlistat) has been widely used in the pharmacotherapy of morbid obesity. However, the effects of Orlistat on the secretion of appetite regulating gastrointestinal hormones and appetite sensations are still debated. We addressed whether Orlistat alters the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36)-amide (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CCK), peptide YY (PYY), and ghrelin as well as postprandial appetite sensations. Twenty-five healthy human volunteers were examined with a solid-liquid test meal after the oral administration of Orlistat or placebo. Gastric emptying, gallbladder volume and the plasma levels of CCK, PYY, GLP-1, and ghrelin were determined and appetite sensations were measured using visual analogue scales. Gastric emptying was accelerated by Orlistat administration (P < 0.0001), whereas gallbladder emptying was inhibited (P < 0.0001). Plasma levels of CCK (by approximately 53%), PYY (by approximately 40%), and GLP-1 (by approximately 20%) were significantly lowered by Orlistat (P < 0.001), whereas ghrelin levels were unaffected by Orlistat treatment (P = 0.18). Satiety and fullness were lowered by Orlistat (P < 0.0001), whereas appetite and prospective food consumption increased (P < 0.0001). The changes in CCK and PYY levels and the mean hunger ratings after Orlistat treatment were closely related to the inhibition of gallbladder motility. Orlistat alters gastric and gallbladder emptying and reduces the postprandial secretion of GLP-1, PYY and CCK. These changes in gastrointestinal hormone concentrations may raise appetite sensations and increase food consumption and should therefore be considered as potential side effects when applying lipase inhibitors for the treatment of morbid obesity.

Role of Peptide YY in Intestinal and Gallbladder Motility in Dogs

The purpose of this study was to characterize the action of exogenous PYY, an ileocolonic peptide released by fatty meal, and that released by Heal perfusion with oleate on intestinal and gallbladder motility patterns and the posssible role of the adrenergic pathway in this action. Dogs were equipped with chronic duodenal electrodes for recording myoelectric activity and with a cannula in the gallbladder fundus for measuring the gallbladders intraluminal pressure and volume and calculating its motility index (MI) and emptying rate. After intravenous infusion of PYY, there was a dose-dependent prolongation of the migrating motor complex (MMC) interval and almost complete abolition of the contractions and emptying of gallbladder during the duodenal activity front. After meat feeding or during intravenous infusion of cerulein, 50 pmol/(kg · h), the MMC was interrupted and replaced by irregular spike activity, accompanied by a marked increase in the gallbladder MI and about 80% to 90% reduction of its volume. PYY, 200 pmol/(kg · h), reduced significantly the meal- or cerulein-induced duodenal spike activity but failed to affect the MI and volume of the gallbladder. Similar changes in fasted and fed patterns of motility were observed after Heal oleate (16 mM/h), producing plasma PYY levels in a range similar to that observed after infusion of exogenous PYY. The inhibitory effects of PYY or Heal fat on intestinal myoelectric activity were reversed in part by α-adrenergic blockade (phentolamine). We conclude that exogenous PYY or endogenous hormone released by Heal oleate inhibits the interdigestive and postprandial motility pattern of the small bowel but does not affect gallbladder motility, and that the inhibition of intestinal motility involves, at least in part, the adrenergic pathway.

Arginine-induced pancreatitis: involvement of the autonomic nervous system?

to the editor: Dawra et al. ([1][1]) were able to trigger acute pancreatitis in mice after the administration of l-arginine. In addition, acute inflammation in the pancreas was associated with lung injury. With respect to this, we would like to offer some insight into the possible physiological,

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone inhibit gallbladder motility through multiple signalling pathways

Testosterone (T) has been shown to cause vasodilation in rabbit coronary arteries through a nongenomic pathway. Part of this T-induced relaxation was shown to be mediated by opening voltage dependent K + channels. T infusion also reduces peripheral resistance in human males with heart failure. The effects of T or its active metabolite 5-α dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are not well studied. This study investigates the effect of T and DHT on contraction in guinea pig gallbladder strips. T or DHT induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK)-induced tension. Pretreatment of the strips with PKA inhibitor 14–22 amide myristolated had no significant effect on the relaxation induced by either T or DHT. Pretreatment of strips with 2-APB, an inhibitor of IP 3 induced Ca 2+ release, produced a significant ( p < 0.001) reduction in the T- or DHT-induced relaxation. Bisindolymaleimide IV and chelerythrine Cl − when used in combination had no significant effect on the amount of CCK-induced tension, but significantly ( p < 0.01) decreased the amount of T- or DHT-induced relaxation. The flavone chrysin, an aromatase inhibitor, and genistein, an isoflavone, each produced a significant ( p < 0.01) reduction in CCK-induced tension. Chrysin significantly ( p < 0.05) increased T-induced relaxation; however, genistein had no effect on T-induced relaxation. It is concluded that T and DHT inhibits gallbladder motility rapidly by nongenomic actions of the hormones. Multiple pathways that include inhibition of intracellular Ca 2+ release, inhibition of extracellular Ca 2+ entry, and the actions of PKC may mediate this effect.

Ultrasonographic study of gallbladder motility in patients with diabetes mellitus and autonomic neuropathy

Aim: Ultrasonographic assessment of gallbladder motility in patients with diabetes mellitus and autonomic neuropathy, having treatment with gabapentinum. Patients and methods: 30 patients with type II diabetes mellitus with various symptoms of autonomic neuropathy undertook this clinical study consisting of treatment with gabapentinum with initial dose of 3×300mg/day, with increasing doses till 3600mg/day for 6 months. They've got no previous gastric surgery, vagal denervation, or gallstones, sex ratio was:M/W=19/11, mean age=65.32±9.78 years, body mass index=33.44±5.51kg/m2. They also didn't receive associated treatment with prokinetic agents. We assess the gallbladder motility response related to this medication. Patients were examined by transabdominal ultrasonography with a 3.5MHz convex array probe, before and after the treatment. We calculated the gallbladder initial and residual volume with ellipsoid method and gallbladder ejection fraction. in fasting state and 30 minutes after a cholecystokinetic meal. An ejection fraction bellow 60% was considered pathological. Results: Before therapy the group of diabetic patients with neuropathy had a mean gallbladder ejection fraction=31.10%±3.98, showing a constant low rate of gallbladder emptying. After treatment the mean gallbladder ejection fraction was 49.59%±5.11, representing an elevation of gallbladder ejection fraction with 18.49%±1.13%, and an improving of gallbladder motility. Conclusions: Ultrasonography examination provided us with data concerning gallbladder motility disorders, represented by delaying of gallbladder emptying and decreasing the gallbladder ejection fraction. According to our results after treatment with gabapentinum diabetic patients showed a slightly improvement of gallbladder motility with promising clinical outcome regarding the dyspeptic complains and other related risk factors.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of gallbladder dysfunction in patients with functional dyspepsia

The study aims to observe the gallbladder emptying in patients with functional dyspepsia, by means of ultrasonographic method described by Dodd et al. We measured the corelation between symptoms and presence of gallbladder dysfunction after a solid meal. Study also aims to evaluate the influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on gallbladder motility. Gallbladder and gastric evacuation were analized for identiffication of coordination problems between gastric and biliary motility.

Gallbladder Motility in Children With Chronic Constipation

The aim of this study was to evaluate gallbladder motility in constipated children. A cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric patients with refractory constipation examined in a pediatric gastroenterology unit of a teaching hospital between January 2005 and August 2006. All of the patients seen during the period were included (age range, 2-16 years). The control group, matched for sex and age, was selected among patients seen at the same basic health units where patients were seen before being referred to pediatric gastroenterologists. A gallbladder contractility index was calculated based on fasting and postprandial gallbladder areas, using an ultrasonographic method. Ultrasonography studies were performed prospectively and blindly by the same physician. Measurements obtained in patients were compared with those obtained in controls. A total of 132 constipated children and the same number of healthy controls were included in the study. Median and mean fasting gallbladder areas were similar in patients and controls. Postprandial gallbladder areas were larger in the patient group, mean +/- SD = 594.8 +/- 206.4 mm, median, 562.5 mm, than in the control group, mean +/- SD = 541.1 +/- 156.1 mm, median, 530.5 mm; P = .031. Logistic regression showed that the risk of a contractility index <25% was 5.2 times greater in patients (odds ratio [OR] 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-10.81) than in controls. Age was found to be a protective factor (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.71-0.88). Gallbladder motility disorder was identified in a group of children with severe constipation. This finding may contribute to the understanding of functional constipation in children.

S1800 A Reference Database for Gallbladder Motility Assessed By Ultrasonography in Health and Disease

S1800 A Reference Database for Gallbladder Motility Assessed By Ultrasonography in Health and Disease

Somatostatinoma: Clinico‐pathological features of three cases and literature reviewed

Somatostatinoma is a rare endocrine tumor that comprises around 1% of all gastroenteropancreatic endocrine neoplasms. This paper gives an updated review on somatostatinoma and describes three sporadic cases of somatostatinoma located in the pancreas, duodenum, and jejunum. Approximately 200 case histories of somatostatinoma have been published, with the duodenum being the most frequent site, followed by the pancreas. Somatostatinomas may be sporadic or associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1, and Von Hippel-Lindau syndromes. Functional somatostatinomas release excessive amounts of somatostatin suppressing gallbladder motility and inhibiting the secretory activity of various endocrine and exocrine cell types. A triad of mild diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis, and diarrhea/steatorrhoea characterizes the somatostatinoma or 'inhibitory' syndrome. Non-functional somatostatinomas tend either to be asymptomatic or to present with obstructive symptoms. These tumors are often malignant and by the time they are detected, nearly two-thirds have already metastasized to the regional lymph nodes or the liver. A comparison between our three cases and those in the literature provides useful insights into the clinical management of these patients. Interestingly, the jejunal somatostatinoma described here is the second case ever reported.

Correlations Between Relative and Absolute Prepandial Gallbladder Lengths with Motility Indices: A Pilot Based Cohort Study

Aim: To establish a correlation between absolute and relative preprandial gallbladder lengths with gallbladder motility indices. Methods: Sixty-one volunteers (thirty-seven males and twenty-four females) underwent serial ultrasound scanning. The lengths width and anterposterior measurements of the gallbladder were taken with a 3.5MHz sector transducer in preprandial and 20th minute postprandial states. Gallbladder volumes were calculated by ellipsoid approximation. The 20th minute contraction index (Cl) and gallbladder emptying rate (GBER) were computed. Age and height of the patients were equally recorded. Parametric statistical analysis was used with P 0.05 and r=0.208; P>0.05 in males and females respectively; and with relative gallbaldder, length: r=0.032; P>0.05 and r=0.234; P>0.05 in males and females respectively. Conclusion: Significant positive correlations exist between GBER and gallbladder relative and absolute lengths. The correlations between Cl and gallbladder relative and absolute lengths were noted to be insignificant. The regression equations could be used for prediction of gallbladder emptying rates in healthy and in disease states. Keywords : Gallbladder motility; Gallbladder contraction index, Gallbladder emptying rates, Ultrasound. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 73-77

Effect of Ezetimibe on the Prevention and Dissolution of Cholesterol Gallstones

Cholesterol cholelithiasis is one of the most prevalent and most costly digestive diseases in developed countries and its incidence has increased markedly in Asian countries owing to the adoption of Western-type dietary habits. Because animal experiments showed that high efficiency of intestinal cholesterol absorption contributes to gallstone formation, we explored whether the potent cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe could prevent gallstones and promote gallstone dissolution in mice and reduce biliary cholesterol content in human beings. Male gallstone-susceptible C57L mice were fed a lithogenic diet and concomitantly administered with ezetimibe at 0, 0.8, 4, or 8 mg/kg/day for 8 or 12 weeks. Gallbladder biles and gallstones were examined by microscopy. Gallbladder emptying in response to cholecystokinin octapeptide was measured gravimetrically. Biliary lipid outputs were analyzed by physical-chemical methods. Cholesterol absorption efficiency was determined by fecal dual-isotope ratio and mass balance methods. Lipid changes in gallbladder biles of gallstone patients vs overweight subjects without gallstones were examined before (day 0) and at 30 days after ezetimibe treatment (20 mg/day). Ezetimibe prevented gallstones by effectively reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption and biliary cholesterol secretion, and protected gallbladder motility function by desaturating bile in mice. Treatment with ezetimibe promoted the dissolution of gallstones by forming an abundance of unsaturated micelles. Furthermore, ezetimibe significantly reduced biliary cholesterol saturation and retarded cholesterol crystallization in biles of patients with gallstones. Ezetimibe is a novel approach to reduce biliary cholesterol content and a promising strategy for preventing or treating cholesterol gallstones by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption.

Gallstone and Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease which has high prevalence among the population. The prevalence is increasing in accordance to life style changes in the society. Gallstone is frequently found in diabetic patients especially in women with type 2 DM. Nevertheless, studies on the prevalence of gallstone among diabetic patients population have shown inconsistent/contradictive results. Insulin resistance which is frequently found in type 2 DM patients is the underlying factor that correlates obesity, central adiposity, and low physical activity with gallstone disease. Two important physiological reasons in diabetic patients that may increase the risk of gallstone formation are: (1) Increased total cholesterol synthesis that causes bile becomes more easily transformed into cholesterol stone (lithogenic); (2) Diabetic patients have larger size and probably reduced motility of the gallbladder that cause increased formation of cholesterol crystals. However, recent study demonstrated that DM that merely exists without any contribution of other factors is not significant to increase the risk of gallstone formation. The gallstone management in diabetic patients is the same as the management in non-diabetic patients. Elective surgery with laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for symptomatic cases. Drug treatment is indicated for patients with cholesterol stone, small stone (diameter <5 mm), and well-functioned cystic duct. Keywords: diabetes mellitus, gallstone, insulin resistance, cholesterol synthesis, motility, laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The Effect of Moderate Alcohol Intake on Gallblader Motility A Milk Ultrasonographic Study

Objectives: To assess the effect of periodic and moderate alcohol intake on gallbladder motility. Methods: The ultrasonographic ellipsoid method was used in 21 healthy male subjects: 12 non-alcohol and 9 alcohol drinkers. The stimulus for gallbladder contraction was 165 ml of half cream milk. Gallbladder dynamics were studied for 20 minutes following the ingestion of the milk. The mean percentage change in gallbladder volume after 10 and 20 minutes gave indications of gallbladder motility. Results: Moderate and periodic alcohol intake did not stimulate rapid postprandial gallbladder emptying. Conclusion: The protective effect of alcohol against biliary cholesterol cholelithiasis could not be due to stimulation of gallbladder emptying.