Effect of equimolar amounts of long-chain triglycerides and medium-chain triglycerides on plasma cholecystokinin and gallbladder contraction

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of equimolar amounts of long-chain triglycerides (LCT) and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) on plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations and gallbladder contraction in man. On separate mornings and in random order six healthy volunteers ingested either 60 mmol LCT or 60 mmol MCT. Plasma CCK concentrations were measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay and gallbladder contraction by ultrasonography. Ingestion of LCT induced significant increases in plasma CCK from 2.8 ± 0.5 to 6.5 ± 0.7 pmol/1 (p < 0.005) and decreases in gallbladder volume from 33.4 ± 5.9 to 13.2 ± 4.2 cm³ (p < 0.005). On the other hand, no significant changes in plasma CCK and gallbladder volume were found after MCT. Ingestion of MCT was followed by abdominal cramps and diarrhea, while LCT were without side effects. It is concluded that, in contrast to LCT, MCT do not induce CCK release and gallbladder contraction.