Abstract
When bile is stored in the gall bladder its solid constituents undergo a 6 to 8 fold concentration due to the absorption of water. This should produce very high calcium levels theoretically, unless some of the calcium was also absorbed. The solution of this problem is of interest on account of the calcium content of gall stones.
Dogs were anesthetized with ether, the abdomen opened and the cystic duct clamped immediately to prevent emptying of the gall bladder. Then the common duct was opened, cannulae inserted and sufficient liver bile collected for analysis. In 5 experiments the average content of the liver bile on fasting animals was 14.6 mg. per 100 cc. while the simultaneous gall bladder bile contained 52.2 mg. per 100 cc. This is a concentration of about three and a half times, considerably less than the total concentration of the bile, indicating that some calcium as well as water had been absorbed.
The average concentration of normal cystic duct bile in 10 control electrocuted fasting animals was 47.7 mg. In 11 animals in whom the cystic duct had been ligated for varying periods the average calcium content was 39.2 mg. per 100 cc. indicating that a progressive absorption of calcium was taking place. These figures do not truly represent the amount of absorption as the total volume of the gall bladders was always much less after cystic duct ligation. This of course could not be measured quantitatively but it was grossly quite apparent.
Jaundice had no effect on the procedure. When common duct ligation as well as cystic was done the average for the series was 41.6 mg. per 100 cc. Common duct ligation alone leaving the cystic duct open gave an average of 39.9 mg. per 100 cc. for the cystic bile.
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