Abnormalities of Serum Cholecystokinin and Gallbladder Emptying in Celiac Disease

Abstract

THE alimentary tract is known to release a variety of polypeptide hormones that co-ordinate its digestive and absorptive functions. Among them is cholecystokinin-pancreozymin, which constitutes the principal stimulus to gallbladder emptying and pancreatic enzyme secretion in addition to influencing intestinal motility.1 In a previous paper we demonstrated an impaired gallbladder contraction in response to fat and also a sluggish enterohepatic circulation of bile salts in patients with celiac disease.2 A delay in pancreatic and biliary secretion in patients with celiac disease in response to a duodenal infusion of amino acids has also been demonstrated.3 These abnormalities seemed most likely to . . .