Identification of a hormonal basis for gallbladder filling

Nat Med. 2006 Nov;12(11):1253-5. doi: 10.1038/nm1501. Epub 2006 Oct 29.

Abstract

The cycle of gallbladder filling and emptying controls the flow of bile into the intestine for digestion. Here we show that fibroblast growth factor-15, a hormone made by the distal small intestine in response to bile acids, is required for gallbladder filling. These studies demonstrate that gallbladder filling is actively regulated by an endocrine pathway and suggest a postprandial timing mechanism that controls gallbladder motility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cholecystokinin / blood
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / physiology*
  • Gallbladder / metabolism
  • Gallbladder / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • fibroblast growth factor 15, mouse
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Cholecystokinin
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic GMP