Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi, Geriatri Bilim Dalı-Ankara There are growing numbers of studies evaluating the pathogenic mechanisms which underlie in gallstone formation. Gallbladder motility and factors that influence gallbladder motility are particularly gaining much interest in recent years. Our objective for this study was to compare the effects of cholecystokinin (CCK) and erythromycin treatments on bile chemistry and gallstone formation in the aged guinea pigs. Study was held in Gulhane Research Laboratories. Two guinea pig groups (40, 1-mo old and 40, 3-yr old) were studied. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups of each including 10 animals. While one subgroup of each age group was placed on lithogenic diet only, one subgroup was treated with CCK, the other with erythromycin in addition to lithogenic diet for 4 weeks. 10 guinea pigs from each group remained on normal diet as control group. After 4 weeks, the presence of gallstone and bile chemistry including bile acid, cholesterol, lecithin and protein concentrations were evaluated. We observed no gallstones in 1-mo old group, while in 3-yr old group, 9 of 10 guinea pigs on lithogenic diet and 4 of 10 guinea pigs of each treatment subgroups and control group developed gallstones. Treatments with CCK and erythromycin showed similar effects on bile chemistry and stone formation. fn conclusion, aging increases the formation of gallstones in the guinea pigs. Erythromycin seems as effective as CCK in reducing the gallstone formation by improving gallbladder motility. These results suggest that the use of erythromycin could be an alternative in prevention of gallstones for long-term treatment of patients with biliary sludge. Keywords : Gallstone, Cholecystokinin, Erythromycin, Motility, Lithogenic diet