Effect of omeprazole on gallbladder contraction in humans

Background/Aims: Omeprazole causes hypergastrinemia because of the effects of prolonged complete suppression of acid secretion and also gastrin has an excitatory effect on gallbladder contraction. Therefore, we investigated t he meal-induced gallbladder emptying in healthy subjects receiving omeprazo le and compared them to controls. Methodology: Twenty healthy volunteers participated in this study. Gallblad der volume was measured by ultrasonography. After basal measurement, the vo lunteers received saline intravenously (i.v) 2cc (no:10) or omeprazole 20mg i.v (no:10). After 15min the gallbladder volume was scanned at 15min inter vals for 60min for each of the subjects. At the end of the period, all the subjects received a standard test meal (ensure 250cal/250mL), after 1 hour the gallbladder volumes were rescanned at 15min periods for 60min. Results: Mean gallbladder volume in the omeprazole group was not significan tly different during a 45min period as compared to the baseline value. The residual gallbladder volume at the end of the 15th minute (43.9+/-5.6mL), 3 0th minute (45.4+/-5.9mL), 45th minute (40.5+/-6.1mL) and 60th minute (40.5 +/-6.1mL) showed no significant differences in both the omeprazole group an d the controls. Mean gallbladder volumes of both groups after meal intake w ere significantly lower during the 1-hour period as compared to the baselin e value (P<0.05). The mean volumes did not show any significant differences between the omeprazole group and the control subjects. Conclusions: Omeprazole did not change the gallbladder volume during fastin g and the postprandial period as compared to the control group.