Effects of gastric fundusectomy and antrectomy on gallbladder epithelial proliferation in the hamster

BACKGROUND: Exogenous administration of cholecystokinin or its analog cerulein induces epithelial hyperplasia in the mouse gallbladder. The effects on the gallbladder of resectional surgery of the stomach with hormonal consequences are not known.

METHODS: The effects of gastric fundusectomy and antrectomy on proliferation and growth of the gallbladder epithelium were studied in male Syrian golden hamsters during periods of 5 and 25 days. Sham-operated animals served as controls.

RESULTS: Basal plasma gastrin concentrations were significantly increased after fundusectomy and significantly decreased after antrectomy, whereas basal plasma cholecystokinin concentrations were not significantly affected. Five days after fundusectomy, there was a significant increase in the tritiated thymidine DNA labeling index of gallbladder epithelial cells. On day 25, the gallbladder weight and total number of epithelial cells were significantly increased after fundusectomy. Antrectomy significantly decreased the gallbladder weight on day 25, whereas the labeling index and total number of epithelial cells were not significantly affected on days 5 and 25.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that gastric fundusectomy at least transiently induces gallbladder epithelial hyperplasia and hypertrophy in the hamster. Although achlorhydria and hypergastrinemia are prominent features, the actual mechanism behind this effect of fundusectomy on the gallbladder needs further clarification.