VIP-ANTISERUM AND INDOMETHACIN INHIBIT CALCIUM AND BICARBONATE SECRETION BY THE INFLAMED FELINE GALLBLADDER MUCOSA

Ionized calcium (Ca2+) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) are important ions for gallstone formation. In the present study the effect of indomethacin a nd vasoactive intestinal peptide-antiserum (VIP-antiserum) on the Ca2. HCO3- and fluid secretion in the validated experimental model in cat s. The animals were studied in acute experiments 6 weeks after cystic duct ligation and gallstone implantation. During basal conditions ther e was a continuous secretion oi Ca2+, HCO3- and fluid into the lumen o f the inflamed gallbladder. Indomethacin and VIP-antiserum inhibited t he Ca2+, HCO3- and fluid secretion across the inflamed gallbladder muc osa. Intraluminal amiloride inhibited the absorption of Ca2+, HCO3- an d fluid after indomethacin infusion. An impaired absorption of Ca2+, H CO3- and fluid in the inflamed gallbladder is probably important for t he solubility of calcium salts in the early stages of inflammation in the gallbladder mucosa.