Humoral mechanisms and clinical aspects of biliary tract motility

This review is intended to summarize current information on neurohumoral regulation of the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi motility under both physiological and pathological circumstances with emphasis on Hungarian contributions to today's knowledge. The mechanism of action of neurohumoral agents that interact on these segments of the biliary tract, and the explored details of the stimulation-contraction/relaxation coupling process of these substances, will be discussed. A modified classification of biliary tract motility disorders with new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches will also be provided. This information will aid understanding of the pathogenesis of motor disorders of the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi, and will indicate possibilities for pharmacological exploitation in the treatment of diseases resulting from biliary tract motility abnormalities.