Effect of erythromycin on human biliary motility.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the effects of intravenous erythromycin on human gall-bladder and sphincter of Oddi motor function.


METHODS
Twelve consecutive patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction were studied. Gall-bladder function was assessed by ultrasonography, and sphincter of Oddi motility was evaluated by means of endoscopic manometry.


RESULTS
All patients were found to have normal gall-bladder function. The percentage of maximal gall-bladder emptying following a standardized, liquid test meal was significantly increased by erythromycin, whereas the postprandial residual gall-bladder volume was significantly decreased after erythromycin (P < 0.01). Endoscopic manometry revealed the presence of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction in two of the 12 patients. Erythromycin significantly decreased the basal sphincter of Oddi pressure and slowed the sphincter of Oddi phasic contraction frequency in all patients (P < 0.01). However, the mean duration of the sphincter phasic contractions (P < 0.05) and their amplitude (P = 0.05) were increased by the compound.


CONCLUSIONS
Erythromycin stimulates gall-bladder motility but induces varying effects on human sphincter of Oddi motility.
Wehrmann
T
T
Department of Internal Medicine II, J. W. Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Pfeltzer
C
C
Caspary
W F
WF
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002765:Cholecystography; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009803:Sphincter of Oddi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004917:Erythromycin