Gastrin-releasing peptide stimulates gallbladder motility but not sphincter of Oddi motility in Australian brush-tailed possum

M. R. Cox, R. T.A. Padbury, T. L. Snelling, A. C. Schloithe, J. R. Harvey, J. Toouli, G. T.P. Saccone

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    12 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The neural distribution and action of gastrin-releasing peptide in the extrahepatic biliary tree of the Australian brush-tailed possum was investigated. Immunohistochemical staining of fixed specimens demonstrated gastrin-releasing peptide-containing nerves throughout the neural plexuses of the gallbladder, sphincter of Oddi, and mucosa of the common bile duct. Gastrin-releasing peptide (5-2000 ng/kg) increased gallbladder tone to a level equivalent to that produced by cholecystokinin octapeptide (160 ng/kg). This action was tetrodotoxininsensitive. Sphincter of Oddi motility and transsphincteric flow were not altered. Possible mediation of the gallbladder response by gastrin was examined. Gastrin (50-2500 ng/kg) stimulated gastric acid secretion, elevated gallbladder motility to 64% of that produced by gastrin-releasing peptide, and did not alter sphincter of Oddi motility. In conclusion, gastrinreleasing peptide-containing nerves are found in the neural plexus of the possum extrahepatic biliary tree. Gastrin-releasing peptide induces gallbladder contraction in part by a direct action on gallbladder smooth muscle and also via release of gastrin.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1275-1284
    Number of pages10
    JournalDigestive Diseases and Sciences
    Volume43
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 25 Jun 1998

    Keywords

    • Gallbladder
    • Gastrin
    • Gastrin-releasing peptide
    • Sphincter of Oddi

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