[Ultrasonographic evaluation of gallbladder and gastric emptying after ingestion of water with various saline compositions].

Objective: Evaluation of gallbladder and gastric emptying after ingestion of a saline enriched water ("Acqua Santa" di Chianciano) in comparison with a commercial oligomineral water.

Study Design: A 40-minute blind prospective study.

Location: The study was performed at the Terme of Chianciano (Siena) for subjects of group A and at the Institute of Clinica Medica Generale and Terapia Medica of the University of Bologna for subjects of group B.

Patients Or Participants: Two groups of healthy subjects were studied. Each group consisted of 12 subjects without gallbladder disease.

Experimental Protocol: Fasting subjects of group A ingested alternatively, for two consecutive mornings, 400 ml of the saline enriched water at the natural temperature of 33 degrees C or 400 ml of oligomineral water warmed to the same temperature. Subjects of group B ingested the same waters at 18 degrees C.

Methods: Gastric and gallbladder emptying were evaluated, after ingestion of the different waters, by means of ultrasonography.

Results: In both groups gallbladder emptying was significantly higher after ingestion of the saline enriched water. On the other hand gastric emptying was similar with both waters.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that saline enriched water determines a greater emptying of the gallbladder in comparison with an oligomineral water. This effects is not related to gastric emptying but rather it is due to a higher concentration of saline components and thus to their possible effect on gallbladder motility.