The effect of lysophosphatidylcholine on gallbladder function in the cat.

The effects of lysoPC on gallbladder net fluid transport and motility were investigated by a perfusion technique in the anesthetized cat. It was found that addition of 1 mumol/ml lysoPC to the buffer perfusate resulted in an immediate contraction of the gallbladder and also a change in net fluid transport from a basal absorption of 0.71 ml/hr to a secretion of 0.34 ml/hr. An increased output of hexosamine and protein from the gallbladder accompanied the lysoPC treatment. Indomethacin--a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor--at a dose of 2 mg/kg caused a relaxation of the gallbladder and abolished the secretion but did not return the gallbladder to its original rate of basal absorption. LysoPC, when added to bile, had a similar effect on net fluid transport but did not induce a contraction of the gallbladder. The results indicate that the effect of lysoPC on gallbladder function could be of importance in acute cholecystitis and that endogenous prostaglandin synthesis may play a part in this lysoPC-induced inflammatory response.