EFFECT OF CIGARETTE-SMOKING ON GALLBLADDER EMPTYING AND FILLING IN MAN

Objective: The effect of cigarette smoking on gallbladder (GB) emptying and refilling after a fatty meal was examined in 10 healthy volunteers (four women and six men, mean age 27.6 yr). Methods: On three different days, the subjects underwent in randomized order: a control test without smoking (C), or they smoked two cigarettes during the early (0-20 min; S-0-20), Or late (20-40 min; S-20-40) phase of the meal-induced GB emptying. GB volumes were measured ultrasonographically before the meal and at 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min postprandially. Two-way ANOVA was applied for statistical assessment of the results. Results: The fasted GB volumes amounted to 15.7+/-1.8 cm(3) (C), 15.0+/-1.7 cm(3) (S-0-20) and 18.4+/-2.3 cm(3) (S-20-40), F-2;18=1.524, NS. Maximum GB emptying was observed until 60 min after the meal, with a nadir of the GB volume amounting to 7.3+/-1.3 cm(3) (C), 6.6+/-1.2 cm(3) (S-0-20), and 7.1+/-1.1 cm(3) (S-20-40). No significant difference was found between the stimuli tested when absolute GB volumes were considered: F-2;180=2.725, NS. Analysis of the GB emptying-refilling curves normalized for the fasted GB volume revealed that a significant inhibitory effect was produced by smoking two cigarettes during the late phase of GB emptying on the subsequent GB refilling: F-2;162=11.066, p<0.001 for the whole curve, and F-2;72=7.126, p<0.005 for the refilling phase. A significant contrast was found next between S-20-40 and the control day (p<0.001 whole curve; p<0.005 refilling phase only), as well as between S-20-40 and S-0-20 (P<0.001 whole curve; p<0.025 refilling phase only). Conclusion: We conclude that smoking two cigarettes does not disturb the fatty meal-induced GB contraction in healthy humans. Subsequent GB refilling is delayed if smoking takes place during the late phase of the postprandial GB contraction.