Humoral mechanisms and clinical aspects of biliary tract motility

This review is intended to summarize current information on neurohumoral re gulation of the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi motility under both physi ological and pathological circumstances with emphasis on Hungarian contribu tions to today's knowledge. The mechanism of action of neurohumoral agents that interact on these segments of the biliary tract, and the explored deta ils of the stimulation-contraction/relaxation coupling process of these sub stances, will be discussed. A modified classification of biliary tract moti lity disorders with new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches will also be provided. This information will aid understanding of the pathogenesis of mo tor disorders of the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi, and will indicate p ossibilities for pharmacological exploitation in the treatment of diseases resulting from biliary tract motility abnormalities.