Comparison of effects of cholecystokinin and erythromycin on bile chemistry and gallstone formation in aged guinea pigs.
BACKGROUND
There has been considerable interest in gall bladder motility in recent years. We compared the effects of cholecystokinin (CCK) and erythromycin on bile chemistry and gallstone formation in aged guinea pigs.


METHODS
Two groups of guinea pigs (1-mo and 3-y old; n=40 each) were studied. Each group was divided into four subgroups of 10 animals each; one subgroup received lithogenic diet, one each received CCK or erythromycin daily in addition to lithogenic diet for 4 weeks, and one received normal diet. After 4 weeks, the presence of gallstones or sludge was recorded and bile composition including concentrations of bile acid, cholesterol, lecithin and protein concentrations was studied.


RESULTS
No gallstones were observed in the 1-mo-old animals. In the 3-year-old animals, 9 of 10 guinea pigs on lithogenic diet and 4 of 10 in each treatment subgroup and the normal diet subgroup developed gallstones. CCK and erythromycin had similar effects on bile chemistry and stone formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Aging increases the formation of gallstones in guinea pigs. Erythromycin is as effective as CCK in reducing gallstone formation by improving gall bladder motility.
Mas
Mehmet Refik
MR
Department of Internal Medicine, Gulhane Medical Faculty, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. refikmas@yahoo.com
Ateskan
Umit
U
Doruk
Hüseyin
H
Kocabalkan
Fikri
F
Comert
Bilgin
B
Mas
Nuket
N
Ahmed
Hafez
H
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001646:Bile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000032:analysis; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D012844:Sincalide / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D004917:Erythromycin; D002784:Cholesterol; C011462:erythromycin stearate; D012844:Sincalide