The broad objectives of this proposal are to investigate the neurohormonal mechanisms involved in the regulation of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) and gallbladder (GB) motor function and in the physiological interaction between the duodenum and the biliary tract. These studies will be performed in vitro in the muscle bath and in vivo in an isolated duodenal-biliary tract preparation in cats. SO, GB, and duodenal motor function will be determined by measuring mechanical and myoelectrical activity. Our major areas of interest are: 1) analysis of the myoelectrical patterns during basal and stimulated states to determine the extent of electro-mechanical coupling and dissociation and their effects on SO flow rates; 2) pharmacological characterization of receptors of duodenal hormones and neurotransmitters which may participate in the physiological control of the basal or stimulated biliary tract motor function; 3) we will extend our studies of the nature of the intrinsic neural pathways and demonstrate the extrinsic innervation of the biliary tract in order to make possible the study of reflex mechanisms between the duodenum and the biliary tract; 4) we will investigate neurohormonal relationships to define the nature of the interaction between duodenal hormones (CCK, motilin) and the vagus and sympathetic nerves. These studies will permit us to examine possible types of interaction, that is, of potentiation or antagonism which will increase our understanding of what is a physiological stimulus and to develop models of biliary dysfunction; and 5) we will pursue these studies further by examining these neurohormonal relationships under physiological conditions by stimulating the release of endogenous duodenal hormones and/or the activation of reflexes.
| Cong, P; Pricolo, V; Biancani, P et al. (2010) Effects of cholesterol on CCK-1 receptors and caveolin-3 proteins recycling in human gallbladder muscle. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 299:G742-50 |
| Cong, Ping; Pricolo, Victor; Biancani, Piero et al. (2009) High levels of caveolar cholesterol inhibit progesterone-induced genomic actions in human and guinea pig gallbladder muscle. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 296:G948-54 |
| Xiao, Zuo Liang; Biancani, Piero; Behar, Jose (2009) Effects of progesterone on motility and prostaglandin levels in the distal guinea pig colon. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 297:G886-93 |
| Guarino, Michele Pier Luca; Cong, Ping; Cicala, Michele et al. (2007) Ursodeoxycholic acid improves muscle contractility and inflammation in symptomatic gallbladders with cholesterol gallstones. Gut 56:815-20 |
| Cong, Ping; Xiao, Zuo-Liang; Biancani, Piero et al. (2007) Reactive oxygen species are messengers in maintenance of human and guinea pig gallbladder tonic contraction. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 293:G1244-51 |
| Cong, Ping; Xiao, Zuo-Liang; Biancani, Piero et al. (2007) Prostaglandins mediate tonic contraction of the guinea pig and human gallbladder. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 292:G409-18 |
| Xiao, Zuoliang; Schmitz, Frank; Pricolo, Victor E et al. (2007) Role of caveolae in the pathogenesis of cholesterol-induced gallbladder muscle hypomotility. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 292:G1641-9 |
| Xiao, Zuo-Liang; Cao, Weibiao; Biancani, Piero et al. (2006) Nongenomic effects of progesterone on the contraction of muscle cells from the guinea pig colon. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 290:G1008-15 |
| Xiao, Zuo-Liang; Amaral, Joseph; Biancani, Piero et al. (2005) Impaired cytoprotective function of muscle in human gallbladders with cholesterol stones. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 288:G525-32 |
| Xiao, Zuo-Liang; Biancani, Piero; Behar, Jose (2004) Role of PGE2 on gallbladder muscle cytoprotection of guinea pigs. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 286:G82-8 |
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