Effect of D2-dopamine receptor antagonist levosulpiride on diabetic cholecystoparesis: a double-blind crossover study.
BACKGROUND
Abnormal gall-bladder motility has been reported in diabetics. The objective was to evaluate the effect of chronic D2-dopamine receptor inhibition on gall-bladder emptying in diabetic patients.


METHODS
Under double-blind placebo-controlled conditions and according to a crossover design, patients were randomly assigned to receive either 4 weeks treatment with levosulpiride 25 mg t.d.s. or 4 weeks treatment with placebo, with an interval of 15 days. Twenty-three consecutive long-standing, insulin-treated diabetics with autonomic neuropathy were studied.


METHODS
At the beginning of the study and after levosulpiride or placebo treatment, gall-bladder emptying was measured ultrasonically by evaluating the gall-bladder volume in basal conditions and every 15 min for 90 min after the ingestion of a standard meal. Statistical analysis of the results was performed by means of analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Levosulpiride treatment reduced the basal mean gall-bladder volume from 21.6 +/- 2.3 to 18.6 +/- 2.3 mL (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the residual gall-bladder volume (9.3 +/- 1.4 mL) was significantly reduced compared to the corresponding pre-treatment volume (14.6 +/- 1.5 mL (P < 0.05). In placebo-treated patients, no significant differences were observed in gall-bladder volumes before and after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that chronic oral administration of the D2-dopamine antagonist levosulpiride has a significant effect on gall-bladder motility in diabetic patients.
Mansi
C
C
Department of Internal Medicine--Gastroenterology Unit, University of Genoa, Italy.
Savarino
V
V
Vigneri
S
S
Sciabà
L
L
Perilli
D
D
Mele
M R
MR
Celle
G
G
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; D013469:Sulpiride; C078143:levosulpiride