Published online Jun 25, 1996. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v2.i2.109
Revised: April 13, 1996
Accepted: May 10, 1996
Published online: June 25, 1996
AIM: To study the effect of combined use of compound amino acids (CoAA) and erythromycin in the promotion of gallbladder emptying and their mechanism of action.
METHODS: Sucralfate-NS, sucralfate-CoAA, proglumide-CoAA or erythromycin-CoAA was administered to 36 patients with cholelithiasis, and their gallbladder emptying rates (PGER) were compared by ultrasonographic measurement of gallbladder volume.
RESULTS: The PGER of the CoAA group was 40.52% ± 6.84%, which was significantly increased. The gallbladder contractive effect of CoAA could be blocked partially by the cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor blocker Proglumide. The PGER of combined erythromycin and CoAA was 54.17% ± 5.35%, being much higher than that in the group treated with CoAA alone (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Rapid infusion of CoAA in patients with cholelithiasis can increase PGER, via a mechanism that is related to the release of CCK. When erythromycin is administrated at the same time, the PGER increases more significantly and the peak effect appears earlier. This finding suggests that combined use of the two has a synergic effect on gallbladder contraction, and that it is more effective than CoAA alone; thus, combined treatment might be useful in correcting gallbladder emptying impairment and preventing bile retention.