Cyclooxygenase-2 mediates mucin secretion from epithelial cells of lipopolysaccharide-treated canine gallbladder.

Biliary mucin was regarded as a major contributing factor in formation of pigment stones as well as cholesterol ones. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of biliary mucin secretion in canine gallbladder epithelial (CGBE) cells treated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with special reference to cyclooxygenase (COX) -2. Confluent CGBE cells were incubated with following compounds for 8, 12, and 24 hr: (1) serum-free medium, (2) serum-free medium containing LPS (100 microm/ml), (3) serum-free medium containing LPS (100 microm/ml) with NS-398 (10 microM), and (4) serum-free medium containing LPS (100 microm/ml) with indomethacin (10 microM).