Bradykinin and not cholecystokinin stimulates exaggerated prostanoid release from the inflamed rabbit gallbladder.

The relationship of bradykinin and cholecystokinin (CCK) to inflamed gallbladder prostanoid synthesis and release was examined in rabbits treated with common bile duct ligation (BDL) for 24 or 72 h. Gallbladders removed from control and BDL groups were incubated in oxygenated Krebs buffer at 37 degrees C (pH 7.4) for 60 min. The slices were then placed every 20 min in vials containing increasing doses of bradykinin (30-3000 ng) or CCK (30-1000 ng). Incubation fluid was analyzed by RIA for 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG)F1 alpha (PGI2 metabolite), PGE2 and thromboxane (TX) B2. Bradykinin stimulated control gallbladder 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 release was modest. Gallbladders from 24- and 72-h BDL groups released 3- to 10-fold higher levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 (not TXB2) following bradykinin stimulation when compared to controls, which was abolished with indomethacin pretreatment. CCK did not stimulate gallbladder prostanoid release in the control or BDL groups. These data show that bradykinin and not CCK stimulated PGI2 and PGE2 release from inflamed rabbit gallbladder. Increased BDL gallbladder PGI2 release may be prolonged or augmented by bradykinin as gallbladder distention and progressive acute inflammation stimulate local bradykinin formation.     

Role of gastric mucosa prostaglandins in the development of ulcer lesions in liver cirrhosis]

The amount of prostaglandins (PD) E, F2 alpha and I2 (measured as 6-keto-Pg F1 alpha) in endoscopic biopsy specimens of gastric corpus' mucosa also as the concentration of Pg E and F2 in gastric juice of cirrhotic patients without or with gastric and duodenal ulcer were measured by radioimmunoassay. Release of Pgs with gastric juice (in the basal state and after histamine stimulation) was also significantly less in these patients. It was concluded that the severe disturbance of endogenous biosynthesis Pgs in gastroduodenal mucus of cirrhotic patients may play an important role in the development of ulcer disease in these patients.     

Effects of chronic morphine on biliary tract responses to cholecystokinin-octapeptide in male guinea pigs.

Opioid peptides share the spasmogenic action of acutely administered morphine on the sphincter of Oddi. In this study, gallbladder function was assessed following chronic opioid administration. Implantation of morphine pellets (400 mg) in male guinea pigs depressed cholecystokinin-octapeptide(CCK)-induced emptying of gallbladder bile (monitored via a duodenal cannula). Gallbladder muscle strips, isolated from the morphine treated animals, showed depressed contractile responses to CCK. This antagonism was non-specific and indirectly mediated, as ACh contractions were also depressed, whereas CCK-induced contractions of gallbladder strips from untreated animals were unaffected by direct exposure to morphine (3 x 10(-6)M). The depression of CCK stimulation of bile flow by chronic morphine administration in male guinea pigs suggests that chronic exposure to opioids can impede gallbladder emptying.     

Cholecystokinin (CCK) down regulates PGE2 and PGI2 release in inflamed Guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle cell cultures

This study examines the hypothesis that cholecystitis down-regulates Guinea pig gallbladder (GPGB) smooth muscle cholecystokinin (CCK)-stimulated prostaglandin (PG) release. Guinea pig gallbladder from Control and 48 h bile duct ligated (BDL) animals were placed in cell culture and grown to confluence. The cultures underwent Western Blot analysis for smooth muscle cell content of COX-1, COX-2, Prostacyclin Synthase (PS), or were incubated with CCK at 10(-8)M or 10(-6)M with and without indomethacin for 1h and analyzed for release of 6-keto-PGF1alpha, PGE2 and TxB2 by EIA. BDL increased Guinea pig gallbladder cell culture basal PGE2 and PGI2 release which was in part due to increased COX-2 content. CCK incubation down-regulated BDL Guinea pig gallbladder cell culture release of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and PGE2 and down-regulated COX-2 content but did not alter the Control group. The decrease in CCK-mediated BDL cell Guinea pig gallbladder release may be an endogenous mechanism to limit physiologic derangements induced by increased endogenous gallbladder PG synthesis during early acute cholecystitis.     

Hormonal regulation of biliary calcium excretion in rats: inhibition of calcitonin action by alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation

The effect of synthetic [Asu1,7] eel calcitonin (CT) and other hormones on biliary calcium excretion was investigated in rats cannulated bile duct. Administration of CT (80 mU/100 g body weight) produced a significant increase in liver calcium and a corresponding elevation of bile calcium content. The increase in bile calcium content was also caused by administration of insulin (0.1 U/100 g), epidermal growth factor (10 micrograms/100 g), glucagon (10 micrograms/100 g), epinephrine (10 micrograms/100 g), norepinephrine (10 micrograms/100 g), 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (10 micrograms/100 g) and ATP (1.0 mg/100 g), suggesting that this increase may be a receptors-mediated response. Of these hormones and drugs, norepinephrine, a alpha-receptor mediator, clearly prevented CT effect on biliary calcium excretion. Moreover, phenylephrine, a alpha 1-receptor agonist, caused an inhibition of the CT effect, while the agonist significantly increased biliary calcium excretion. The present study clearly demonstrates that biliary calcium excretion is stimulated by various hormones which increase calcium influx into liver cells, and suggests that the CT action may be inhibited by alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation.     

Gallbladder pressure, compliance, and hysteresis during cyclic volume change

The gallbladder has both storage and contractile properties, but is pressure-volume characteristics have not been fully described. We studied gallbladder pressure, compliance, stress relaxation, and the work performed during infusion-withdrawal of fixed volumes of bile at increments of base-line volume under halothane anesthesia in 13 dogs. Two cannulae were inserted in the gallbladder fundus: one for cyclic infusion-withdrawal of bile, and one for pressure monitoring. Following ligation of the cystic duct, the gallbladder was fully aspirated and then filled to successive predetermined base-line volumes (15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 mL). At each base-line volume, 5 mL of bile was infused and withdrawn at 2.47 mL/min. Studies were performed under basal conditions and with cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK) infusion (10 or 30 ng.kg-1.h-1iv). Pressure was measured at base-line, after infusion, and after withdrawal. Compliance during infusion (delta V/delta P) was calculated for each cycle. Stress relaxation was defined as the difference between base-line pressure and any reduction in pressure after withdrawal. Hysteresis, the difference between work of infusion and work of withdrawal, was calculated. The results were such that base-line, end-infusion, and end-withdrawal pressures; work of infusion, work of withdrawal, and hysteresis; and stress relaxation all increased significantly with increases in the predetermined base-line volumes (p less than 0.001). Compliance decreased significantly (p less than 0.001) with increasing base-line volume. CCK at 10 ng.kg-1.h-1iv had no effect, but infusion of CCK at 30 ng.kg-1.h-1 significantly (p less than 0.05) increased pressure and work, decreased compliance, and increased stress relaxation compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The functions of bile ducts in sheep

Pressure changes in the gallbladder and the bile flow and pressure changes in the common bile duct were determined in sheep. The experiments were conducted on animals with external junction of choleslochus and cholecystostomy performed previously. The experiments demonstrated pressure in the sheep of the functional sphincter of Mirizzi at the boundary between the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. A correlation was demonstrated also between the function of this sphincter and that of Oddi's sphincter. The conditions for bile filling of the extrahepatic bile ducts and gallbladder were determined. The process of bile excretion into the duodenum and the role of bile duct sphincters in this process are discussed. Attention is called to the relationship between the pressure in the gallbladder and the tonus of bile duct sphinters.     

Effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide and somatostatin on the motility of guinea pig and canine gallbladder

Species differences have been observed in the effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK OP) on the canine and guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle motility. 1. CCK OP was more potent stimulant in canine than in guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscles. Its pD2 values were 10 and 9.2, respectively. 2. The acetylcholine (10(-4) M)-induced maximum contractions in canine gallbladder muscle strips were by 50% lower as compared to the CCK OP (10(-8) M) maximum responses while in guinea pig gallbladder muscle strips the acetylcholine (ACh) maximum responses were by 20% lower than the CCK OP maximum responses. 3. CCK OP increased [3H]ACh release by 27% in canine gallbladder and by 40% in guinea pig gallbladder. 4. Somatostatin (SOM) had not any direct myogenic effect in guinea pig and canine gallbladder but it decreased [3H]ACh release from gallbladder intrinsic cholinergic neurons.     

Differential sensitivities of the sphincter of Oddi and gallbladder to cholecystokinin in the guinea pig: their role in transsphincteric bile flow.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is considered to simply contract the gallbladder and relax the sphincter of Oddi with meals. In this study, we examined this hypothesis by investigating the action of CCK on the sphincter of Oddi and gallbladder of the guinea pig. The experimental design used an in vitro preparation of the sphincter of Oddi to measure contraction of the circular muscle. CCK increased tone in both the gallbladder and the sphincter of Oddi in a concentration-dependent manner. The normalized concentration-response curves for CCK, however, revealed that the gallbladder had a greater sensitivity to CCK (ED50 7 nM) than the sphincter of Oddi (ED50 22 nM; p < 0.01). Conversely, the sphincter was more sensitive to bethanechol than was the gallbladder. When the sphincter of Oddi was stimulated maximally with CCK in the presence of atropine (10(-6) M) or tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M), the contractile response was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) although not abolished. Conversely, atropine completely abolished the responses to bethanechol (10(-3) M) and transmural field stimulation (70 V, 10 Hz, 1 ms, for 20 s). Transmural field stimulation of the sphincter that had been precontracted with CCK (26 nM) caused a transient, initial relaxation followed by contraction. Pretreatment with atropine augmented the duration of this relaxation, which could be completely abolished by tetrodotoxin. Thus, CCK contracts the sphincter of Oddi in the guinea pig by a direct (myogenic) and a neural (likely cholinergic) mechanism. Relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi also occurs in the guinea pig via noncholinergic inhibitory nerves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pharmacological characterization of cholecystokinin receptors mediating contraction of human gallbladder and ascending colon

Cholecystokinin (CCK) produces contractions of gallbladder and colon in a number of different species. Although the effects of CCK on the human gallbladder are relatively well documented, the CCK receptors in the human colon have not been clearly characterised. Therefore, in this study, the CCK receptors in the human gallbladder and colon were compared using pharmacological techniques. Contraction of specimens of the human tissue was measured using in vitro organ bath bioassay. The effect of selective concentrations of CCK(1) and CCK(2) receptor antagonists (L-364,718 and JB93182, respectively) was determined on agonist concentration-effect (E/[A]) curves obtained by cumulative dosing with sulphated CCK. The CCK(1) antagonist L-364,718 produced a rightward shift of the CCK-8S [E/[A] curve in the human gallbladder (pA(2)=9.15 +/- 0.26) and ascending colon (pA(2)=9.20 +/- .33). In both tissues, the CCK(2) receptor antagonist, JB93182, had no effect on the CCK E/[A] curves. In addition, in the colon, pentagastrin responses were inhibited by L-364,718 but unaffected by JB93182. These data indicate that the CCK-induced contraction of the human colon and gallbladder smooth muscle is mediated solely through the CCK(1) receptor subtype, and the antagonist affinity estimates are consistent with those previously obtained in experiments on animal tissue.     

Role of the hepatocyte microtubular system in the excretion of bile salts and biliary lipid: implications for intracellular vesicular transport

The role of the hepatocyte microtubular system in the transport and excretion of bile salts and biliary lipid has not been defined. In this study the effects of microtubule inhibition on biliary excretion of micelle- and non-micelle-forming bile salts and associated lipid were examined in rats. Low-dose colchicine pretreatment had no effect on the baseline excretion of biliary bile salts and phospholipid in animals studied 1 hr after surgery (basal animals), but slightly retarded the excretion of tracer [14C]taurocholate relative to that of lumicolchicine-pretreated (control) rats. However, colchicine pretreatment resulted in a marked reduction in the excretion of 2 mumol/100 g doses of a series of four micelle-forming bile salts of differing hydrophilicity, but had no significant effect on the excretion of the non-micelle-forming bile salt, taurodehydrocholate. Continuous infusion of 0.2 mumol of taurocholate/(100 g.min) following 24 hr of biliary drainage (depleted/reinfused animals) resulted in physiologic bile flow with biliary excretion rates of bile salts, phospholipid, and cholesterol that were markedly inhibited (mean 33, 39, and 42%, respectively) by colchicine or vinblastine pretreatment. Excretion of tracer [14C]taurocholate also was markedly delayed by colchicine in these bile salt-depleted/reinfused animals. In contrast, colchicine did not inhibit bile salt excretion in response to reinfusion of taurodehydrocholate. Thus, under basal conditions, the microtubular system appears to play a minor role in hepatic transport and excretion of bile salts and biliary lipid. However, biliary excretion of micelle-forming bile salts and associated phospholipid and cholesterol becomes increasingly dependent on microtubular integrity as the transcellular flux and biliary excretion of bile salts increases, in both bile salt-depleted and basal animals. We postulate that cotransport of micelle-forming bile salts and lipids destined for biliary excretion, via an intracellular vesicular pathway, forms the basis for this microtubule dependence.     

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha is a central regulator of bile acid conjugation

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) has an important role in regulating the expression of liver-specific genes. Because bile acids are produced from cholesterol in liver and many enzymes involved in their biosynthesis are preferentially expressed in liver, the role of HNF4alpha in the regulation of bile acid production was examined. In mice, unconjugated bile acids are conjugated with taurine by the liver-specific enzymes, bile acid-CoA ligase and bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase (BAT). Mice lacking hepatic HNF4alpha expression exhibited markedly decreased expression of the very long chain acyl-CoA synthase-related gene (VLACSR), a mouse candidate for bile acid-CoA ligase, and BAT. This was associated with markedly elevated levels of unconjugated and glycine-conjugated bile acids in gallbladder. HNF4alpha was found to bind directly to the mouse VLACSR and BAT gene promoters, and the promoter activities were dependent on HNF4alpha-binding sites and HNF4alpha expression. In conclusion, HNF4alpha plays a central role in bile acid conjugation by direct regulation of VLACSR and BAT in vivo.     

The effect of luminal ghrelin on pancreatic enzyme secretion in the rat

Ghrelin, a 28-amino-acid peptide produced predominantly by oxyntic mucosa has been reported to affect the pancreatic exocrine function but the mechanism of its secretory action is not clear. The effects of intraduodenal (i.d.) infusion of ghrelin on pancreatic amylase outputs under basal conditions and following the stimulation of pancreatic secretion with diversion of pancreato-biliary juice (DPBJ) as well as the role of vagal nerve, sensory fibers and CCK in this process were determined. Ghrelin given into the duodenum of healthy rats at doses of 1.0 or 10.0 microg/kg increased pancreatic amylase outputs under basal conditions or following the stimulation of pancreatic secretion with DPBJ. Bilateral vagotomy as well as capsaicin deactivation of sensory fibers completely abolished all stimulatory effects of luminal ghrelin on pancreatic exocrine function. Pretreatment with lorglumide, a CCK(1) receptor blocker, reversed the stimulation of amylase release produced by intraduodenal application of ghrelin. Intraduodenal ghrelin at doses of 1.0 or 10.0 microg/kg increased plasma concentrations of CCK and ghrelin. In conclusion, ghrelin given into the duodenum stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion. Activation of vagal reflexes and CCK release as well as central mechanisms could be implicated in the stimulatory effect of luminal ghrelin on the pancreatic exocrine functions.     

The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on the canine gallbladder motility.

1. VIP at doses of 10(-9) to 10(-8) M was ineffective and at doses of 5 x 10(-8) to 10(-7) M exerted a slight inhibitory effect on the tone of the canine gallbladder muscle strip. However, VIP (0.1-1 micrograms/kg) injected intravenously (i.v.) in conscious dogs dose-dependently decreased the gallbladder pressure. 2. VIP did not influence significantly the acetylcholine (ACh)- or carbachol- induced contractions of canine gallbladder under in vitro or in vivo conditions, but it decreased the electrically-induced, atropine-sensitive contractions of gallbladder muscle strips. 3. VIP (5 x 10(-9) to 5 x 10(-8) M) did not influence significantly the dose-response curve for cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK OP) of canine and guinea-pig gallbladder muscle strips. VIP injected i.v. (0.1-0.5 micrograms/kg) in conscious dogs greatly decreased the CCK OP-induced gallbladder pressure.     

Sex differences in gallbladder prostaglandin synthesis mediated by acute inflammation

The influences of sex and acute inflammation on prostaglandin biosynthesis in rabbit gallbladder were examined by radiochromatography. Male rabbit gallbladder microsomes converted small amounts of labelled arachidonate to total prostaglandin synthesis with PGE2, 6-keto PGF1 alpha (stable metabolite of PGI2) and PGF2 alpha as the major products synthesized. Microsomes from the male rabbit gallbladder inflamed by bile duct ligation for 3 days increased total prostaglandin synthesis five-fold with 6-keto PGF1 alpha being the major prostaglandin produced. Female rabbit gallbladder microsomes converted three times more arachidonate to total prostaglandin synthesis than did microsomes from the male rabbit. Bile duct ligation did not alter total prostaglandin biosynthesis in the female rabbit gallbladder, but significantly decreased synthesis of PGE2, thromboxane B2 and PGF2 alpha and increased synthesis of 6-keto PGF1 alpha. These data suggest that although bile duct ligation had different effects on male and female gallbladder total prostaglandin synthesis, 6-keto PGF1 alpha is the major product induced by this stimulus for acute inflammation.     

Interactions between bile and pancreatic juice diversions on cholecystokinin release and pancreas in conscious rats

Pancreatic exocrine secretion in the conscious rat is regulated by proteases secreted by the pancreas, and cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to be involved in its mechanism. It has also been reported that the absence of either pancreatic juice or bile in the duodenum could stimulate pancreatic secretion. Therefore, differences in CCK release responding to the exclusion of bile, pancreatic juice (PJ), or both bile and pancreatic juice (BPJ) from the intestine were examined by using a bioassay for cholecystokinin. Plasma CCK levels were increased by all three treatments compared with the basal value, the order of their effects being BPJ greater than PJ greater than bile diversion, and CCK concentrations produced by BPJ diversion were much greater than can be explained as simply summed effect of exclusions of bile and PJ. Pancreatic exocrine secretions were significantly increased by PJ and BPJ diversions, but the effect of bile diversion on the pancreas was not statistically significant. An additional infusion of CR-1409 (0.1 mg/rat), one of CCK receptor antagonists, inhibited exocrine function stimulated by BPJ diversion. We conclude (i) BPJ diversion is the strongest endogenous stimulant on CCK release; (ii) the potentiation between bile and PJ diversions is induced on CCK release; (iii) pancreatic protein secretion during BPJ diversion is mainly modulated by CCK.     

Action of cholecystokinin on the dog sphincter of Oddi: influence of anti-cholinergic agents.

Effects of cholecystokinin (CCK) on bile flow through the sphincter of Oddi (SO) were studied in anaesthetized dogs. Intravenous injection of CCK (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 IDU/Kg) elicited a dose-dependent reduction in flow through the SO in the first minutes after CCK administration. Pirenzepine and atropine decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) by 29% and a 40% respectively the inhibitory effect induced by 1 IDU/Kg of CCK, whereas hexamethonium elicited an increase in the inhibitory effect induced by 0.5 IDU/Kg of CCK (P less than 0.05). Intravenous infusion of cummulative doses of CCK had different effects according to the dose infused. Lower doses (0.025 and 0.05 IDU/Kg/min) increased transphincteric flow, however, high doses (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 IDU/Kg/min) were inhibitory. These finding indicated that CCK had two effects on the SO : firstly, a contractile effect, probably mediated through a direct myogenic action and neuronal release of ACh, and secondly a relaxant effect, probably mediated by stimulation of inhibitory postganglionic neurons.     

The Src family kinase, Lyn, is activated in pancreatic acinar cells by gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors which stimulate its association with numerous other signaling molecules

Src family kinases (SFK) play a central signaling role for growth factors, cytokines, G-protein-coupled receptors and other stimuli. SFKs play important roles in pancreatic acinar cell secretion, endocytosis, growth, cytoskeletal integrity and apoptosis, although little is known of the specific SFKs involved. In this study we demonstrate the SFK, Lyn, is present in rat pancreatic acini and investigate its activation/signaling. Ca(2+)-mobilizing agents, cAMP-mobilizing agents and pancreatic growth factors activated Lyn. CCK, a physiological regulator of pancreatic function, rapidly activated Lyn. The specific SFK inhibitor, PP2, decreased Lyn activation; however, the inactive analogue, PP3, had no effect. Inhibition of CCK-stimulated changes in [Ca(2+)](i) decreased Lyn activation by 55%; GFX, a PKC inhibitor by 36%; and the combination by 95%. CCK activation of Lyn required stimulation of high and low affinity CCK(A) receptor states. CCK stimulated an association of Lyn with PKC-delta, Shc, p125(FAK) and PYK2 as well as with their autophosphorylated forms, but not with Cbl, p85, p130(CAS) or ERK 1/2. These results show Lyn is activated by diverse pancreatic stimulants. CCK's activation of Lyn is likely an important mediator of its ability to cause tyrosine phosphorylation of numerous important cellular mediators such as p125(FAK), PYK2, PKC-delta and Shc, which play central roles in CCK's effects on acinar cell function.     

Transmembrane delivery of polypeptide growth factors bypassing the intrinsic cell surface receptors: synthesis and biological activity of a conjugate of epidermal growth factor with alpha 2-macroglobulin

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was derivatized at the amino terminus with N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate and then cross-linked to the cysteinyl residues of alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) via disulfide bonds. The EGF-alpha 2M conjugate delivered EGF into dense lysosomal fractions through binding to alpha 2M receptors in a variant of mouse Swiss/3T3 fibroblasts, NR-6, which are deficient in EGF receptors. The conjugate stimulated DNA synthesis in Swiss/3T3 cells, but it did not stimulate DNA synthesis in NR-6 cells. This differential stimulation was due to the conjugate's binding to EGF receptors since bacitracin, which completely inhibits [125I]alpha 2M binding to its receptors, inhibited conjugate binding by approximately 80%. Thus, EGF bound to and internalized through alpha 2M receptors does not function as a mediator for DNA stimulation. The mechanisms of action of the conjugate are discussed in relation to the role of receptor-mediated endocytic pathways.     

Urinary excretion of prostaglandins during infancy and childhood: influence of age, sodium restriction and posture

The influences of age, sodium restriction and posture on 24-hour urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF 2 alpha), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF 1 alpha) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were investigated in 111 healthy children and youngsters in the age between 1 day and 16 years. A considerable degree of variation was found in normal 24-hour urinary prostaglandin excretion in all age groups. There was no significant effect of age on the urinary excretion of prostaglandins when data were corrected for body surface area. In addition, sodium restriction and posture had no influence on the excretion of PGE2, PGF 2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha and TXB2. Our results indicate that in the first days of life the kidney already has the capacity to synthesize prostaglandins in amounts comparable to older children.