The Therapeutic Potential of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Enhancing Gallbladder Function and Reducing Inflammation in Cholesterol Gallstone Disease
Background: Cholesterol gallstone disease (CGS) is often accompanied by gallbladder contraction dysfunction and chronic inflammation, but effective therapeutic options remain limited. This study investigates whether a low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment can improve gallbladder motility...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Fang Chen Run Guo Tian Chen Liping Liu Fan Ding Gang Zhao Bo Zhang |
| author_facet | Fang Chen Run Guo Tian Chen Liping Liu Fan Ding Gang Zhao Bo Zhang |
| author_sort | Fang Chen |
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| description | Background: Cholesterol gallstone disease (CGS) is often accompanied by gallbladder contraction dysfunction and chronic inflammation, but effective therapeutic options remain limited. This study investigates whether a low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment can improve gallbladder motility and alleviate chronic inflammation while exploring the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Gallbladder motility was assessed through in vitro and in vivo contraction tests, while bile condition was evaluated by observing bile crystal clearance. Tissue analysis and Western blotting were performed to examine the expression of the cholecystokinin A receptor (CCKAR) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) as markers of gallbladder smooth muscle health and the inflammatory microenvironment. Blood cholesterol levels were measured via biochemical assays. Results: LIPUS treatment obviously enhanced gallbladder contractility in response to CCK-8 stimulation and accelerated bile crystal clearance. It also reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue edema, and promoted new capillary formation in the gallbladder, mitigating the progression of CGS. Furthermore, LIPUS restored CCKAR expression and improved the thickness of the gallbladder smooth muscle layer, providing a structural basis for increased smooth muscle contractility. Conclusion: LIPUS improves gallbladder motility and reduces chronic inflammation in CGS by enhancing CCKAR expression and smooth muscle integrity. These findings highlight the potential of LIPUS as a non-invasive therapeutic approach for managing CGS. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-12cd335355d746f887787d6c6c7058ff |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2306-5354 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Bioengineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-12cd335355d746f887787d6c6c7058ff2025-01-24T13:23:02ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542025-01-011213410.3390/bioengineering12010034The Therapeutic Potential of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Enhancing Gallbladder Function and Reducing Inflammation in Cholesterol Gallstone DiseaseFang Chen0Run Guo1Tian Chen2Liping Liu3Fan Ding4Gang Zhao5Bo Zhang6Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, ChinaDepartment of Ultrasound, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, ChinaDepartment of Ultrasound, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, ChinaDepartment of Ultrasound, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, ChinaCenter of Gallbladder Disease, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, ChinaCenter of Gallbladder Disease, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, ChinaDepartment of Ultrasound, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, ChinaBackground: Cholesterol gallstone disease (CGS) is often accompanied by gallbladder contraction dysfunction and chronic inflammation, but effective therapeutic options remain limited. This study investigates whether a low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment can improve gallbladder motility and alleviate chronic inflammation while exploring the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Gallbladder motility was assessed through in vitro and in vivo contraction tests, while bile condition was evaluated by observing bile crystal clearance. Tissue analysis and Western blotting were performed to examine the expression of the cholecystokinin A receptor (CCKAR) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) as markers of gallbladder smooth muscle health and the inflammatory microenvironment. Blood cholesterol levels were measured via biochemical assays. Results: LIPUS treatment obviously enhanced gallbladder contractility in response to CCK-8 stimulation and accelerated bile crystal clearance. It also reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue edema, and promoted new capillary formation in the gallbladder, mitigating the progression of CGS. Furthermore, LIPUS restored CCKAR expression and improved the thickness of the gallbladder smooth muscle layer, providing a structural basis for increased smooth muscle contractility. Conclusion: LIPUS improves gallbladder motility and reduces chronic inflammation in CGS by enhancing CCKAR expression and smooth muscle integrity. These findings highlight the potential of LIPUS as a non-invasive therapeutic approach for managing CGS.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/1/34cholesterol gallstone diseasegallbladder emptyinglow-intensity pulsed ultrasoundCCKARsmooth muscle |
| spellingShingle | Fang Chen Run Guo Tian Chen Liping Liu Fan Ding Gang Zhao Bo Zhang The Therapeutic Potential of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Enhancing Gallbladder Function and Reducing Inflammation in Cholesterol Gallstone Disease Bioengineering cholesterol gallstone disease gallbladder emptying low-intensity pulsed ultrasound CCKAR smooth muscle |
| title | The Therapeutic Potential of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Enhancing Gallbladder Function and Reducing Inflammation in Cholesterol Gallstone Disease |
| title_full | The Therapeutic Potential of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Enhancing Gallbladder Function and Reducing Inflammation in Cholesterol Gallstone Disease |
| title_fullStr | The Therapeutic Potential of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Enhancing Gallbladder Function and Reducing Inflammation in Cholesterol Gallstone Disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Therapeutic Potential of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Enhancing Gallbladder Function and Reducing Inflammation in Cholesterol Gallstone Disease |
| title_short | The Therapeutic Potential of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Enhancing Gallbladder Function and Reducing Inflammation in Cholesterol Gallstone Disease |
| title_sort | therapeutic potential of low intensity pulsed ultrasound in enhancing gallbladder function and reducing inflammation in cholesterol gallstone disease |
| topic | cholesterol gallstone disease gallbladder emptying low-intensity pulsed ultrasound CCKAR smooth muscle |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/1/34 |
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