Identification of a hormonal basis for gallbladder filling.

Choi, Mihwa; Moschetta, Antonio; Bookout, Angie L; Peng, Li; Umetani, Michihisa; Holmstrom, Sam R; Suino-Powell, Kelly; Xu, H Eric et al. · Nat Med · 2006

basic_science · Level V

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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.

Medical subject headings