Bile acids cause acidification and CA2+-signalling in guinea pig pancreatic duct cells

Background: Exposure of the pancreas to bile acids is considered to be one of the possible causes of acute pancreatitis. However, no information is available on the effects of bile acids on intact pancreatic ductal epithelia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various bile acids on pancreatic duct cells. Methods: Isolated guinea pig intra/interlobular pancreatic ducts were microperfused from the luminal and basolateral membranes. The effects of various bile acids/chenodeoxycholate, ursodeoxycholate and lithocholate/on intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i, and intracellular pH (pHi) wer…