title: Variabilities of gallbladder contraction indices and a simple regression model for gallbladder and gastric emptying ratio.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to assess the variabilities of gallbladder contraction indices (GBCI) and derive a predictive model for gallbladder and gastric motility.
  
  
  METHODS
  The gallbladder volume and gastric antral measurements were obtained from 24 healthy male volunteers in preprandial and post-milk ingestion states. After preprandial measurement of the gallbladder volume and gastric antral area, each subject ingested 157 ml of full cream milk and 30 cl of ion-free water. In supine position, the gallbladder volume and the gastric antral area were obtained every five minutes for 40 minutes. For the gallbladder while only the 5(th), 10(th) and 15(th) measurement of gastric antral area were obtained. Gallbladder contraction indices were calculated and gastric emptying ratio obtained at the fifteenth minute is the indication of gastric motility. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 16.0 with p < 0.05 as criterion of statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GBCIs followed Gaussian response at some stages and did not at some other stages. The least variability occurred at the 35th measurement of GBCI. A cut- off value for the 35th minute GBCI value was established with the mean ± 2 SD (80.79 ± 11.5%). Obvious gallbladder refilling was noted after 35 minutes. A positive relationship was noted between gallbladder and gastric motilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With milk dilution, the variability of gall bladder motility is least at the 35th minute. A significant positive relationship between gastric emptying and gallbladder contraction index was also observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiography and Radiological sciences Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ugwu Anthony
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Chukwuka
authors.forename: Agwu Kenneth
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kalu
authors.forename: Okechukwu Felix
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Erondu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002417:Cattle; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D008954:Models, Biological; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009803:Sphincter of Oddi / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D014867:Water