Intracerebroventricular neuropeptide Y stimulates bile secretion via a vagal mechanism.

UNLABELLED: The effect of intracerebroventricular injection of neuropeptide Y on biliary secretion was studied in conscious dogs, prepared with gastric and duodenal fistulas and cerebroventricular guides. Bile secretion was increased in a dose-dependent fashion by intracerebroventricular neuropeptide Y. The peak increase was seen after 500 pM/kg of neuropeptide Y which resulted in a 30 x 2% increase in bile flow over the period 30-150 minutes after injection. ( CONTROL: 23 x 2 (1 x 2) ml/2 hours; neuropeptide Y 500 pM/kg: 30 x 5 (1 x 1) ml/2 hours). Biliary lipid composition was not altered significantly but bicarbonate output was increased at all doses tested. Intravenous infusion of neuropeptide Y (1000 pM) for 1 hour had no significant effect. Intracerebroventricular neuropeptide Y (1000 pM/250-300 mg body weight) also increased bile flow in urethane-anaesthetised rats. This effect was abolished by cervical vagotomy. The demonstration of a central stimulation of alkaline bile flow suggests that bile secretion may be subject to central modulation.

Duke Scholars

Author Theodore N. Pappas Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery

Author William Clark Meyers Surgery