title: Gallbladder volume and emptying in diabetics: the role of neuropathy and obesity.
abstract: Gallbladder (GB) volume was monitored by real-time sonography in diabetics (n = 21) and healthy volunteers (n = 55) after a test meal. Seventeen controls and seven diabetics were obese; six patients had both autonomous and somatic neuropathy, and four had somatic neuropathy. Fasting GB volume was similar in controls and diabetics with and without autonomic neuropathy; it was correlated with body mass index (controls, r = 0.43, P less than 0.002; diabetics, r = 0.46, P less than 0.04), and was increased in obese subjects. Post-prandial GB emptying was decreased in diabetics. Those with autonomous neuropathy exhibited larger residual volumes than controls (P less than 0.03). Post-prandial GB emptying was slower and less complete in (non-diabetic) obese subjects and deteriorated further in diabetic obese subjects. GB fasting tone was normal, but GB kinetics were impaired in diabetics; obesity and autonomous neuropathy were correlated with GB hypomotility.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinica Medica I, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palasciano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Portincasa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belfiore
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baldassarre
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cignarelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paternostro
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giorgino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology*; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity