Woods Charmaine M, Saccone Gino T P
Pancreatobiliary Research Group, Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.
Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2007 Apr;9(2):165-70. doi: 10.1007/s11894-007-0012-5.
The control of sphincter of Oddi (SO) motor activity is complex and involves interactions between the SO smooth muscle with nerves, bioactive agents, and presumably interstitial cells of Cajal. Disturbances in SO motility are known to be related to painful clinical conditions, such as SO dysfunction and acute pancreatitis. Understanding normal SO motility and comparing this to disturbed SO motility patterns may identify mechanisms that could be targeted for future pharmacologic intervention. The effect on SO motility of recently identified neurotransmitters/neuropeptides, such as purines and orexins, is currently being determined. Furthermore, because the control of SO motility is complex, investigations with known bioactive agents, such as cholecystokinin and nitric oxide, are continuing. This review summarizes research investigating SO motility and function performed in 2005 and 2006.