[The effect of theophylline preparations on morphine-induced spasm of Oddi's sphincter in man]

In this paper a short overview is given about pathophysiology of Oddi's sphincter function and diagnosis as well as pharmacological therapy of the hypertonic dyskinesia. According to the pharmacological background of muscle relaxation in other organs, theophyllin preparations: aminophyllin and retard theophyllin were used to inhibit spasm of Oddi's sphincter provoked by morphine in 9 patients with hypertonic dyskinesia of biliary and/or pancreatic outlet. The enzyme elevations (SGOT and/or amylase) and pain response to morphine significantly diminished in all but one patient during the evocative tests and the effect seemed to be dose-dependent until about 500 mg of theophyllin. The long acting theophyllin may be useful in hypertonic Oddi's sphincter dyskinesia mainly in combination with nitrates to prevent nitrate tolerance and intolerance and for treatment of "idiopathic" pancreatitis as well as "postcholecystectomy" syndrome. It might prevent papillary stenosis and adenomyosis which seem to be precancerous states of the papillary tumors.