To investigate the postprandial gallbladder motility, including emptying and refilling, in cirrhotic patients and to evaluate the relationship to the presence of
gallstones and various humoral mediators, 82 patients with
liver cirrhosis and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled into this study. Postprandial gallbladder volumes were measured with ultrasonography every 15 min for 2 hr. Plasma levels of
estradiol,
testosterone,
substance P, and
nitrate/
nitrite were also measured. Cirrhotic patients showed a higher prevalence of
gallstones than healthy subjects (41% vs 15%, P = 0.003), and the prevalence increased with the progression of
liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class A: 26%, B: 44%, and C: 65%, P = 0.02). Plasma levels of
estradiol,
testosterone, and
substance P, and
nitrate/
nitrite and
estradiol/
testosterone ratios were not different between cirrhotic patients with and without
gallstones. However, postprandial refilling of the gallbladders was significantly impaired in patients with
cirrhosis, especially in those combined with
gallstones. There was no significant difference in the postprandial gallbladder motility between cirrhotic patients with and without elevated plasma levels of
estradiol,
testosterone, and
substance P and
nitrate/
nitrite, and
estradiol/
testosterone ratios.
Gallstones were common in patients with
liver cirrhosis and the prevalence increased with the progression of
liver diseases.
Sex hormones,
substance P, and
nitrate/
nitrite did not play major roles in the formation of
gallstones in cirrhotic patients. Refilling of the gallbladder was significantly impaired in patients with
liver cirrhosis, especially in those with
gallstones, and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of
gallstones.