Gall bladder: The metabolic orchestrator

Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2019 Jul;35(5):e3140. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.3140. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Abstract

It is commonly held that the gall bladder (GB) is not indispensable for life. However, recent studies strongly suggest that GB removal can lead to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). With the recent recognition of the role of bile acids (BAs) in systemic metabolic regulation, it is worthwhile to re-examine the function of the GB, which can be regarded as the physiological "pacemaker" of BA flow. Thus, in the present study, we review the role of the GB in BA flow regulation, describe the epidemiologic evidence that associates cholecystectomy with various components of MetS, and discuss the possible mechanism behind these connections in order to demonstrate the pivotal role that GB plays in metabolic regulation.

Keywords: bile acid; cholecystectomy; circadian rhythms; gall bladder function; metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Bile Acids and Salts / pharmacology
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Cholecystectomy / adverse effects
  • Gallbladder / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Syndrome / etiology*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / etiology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / metabolism
  • Periodicity

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts