Differences in noradrenaline-induced tension oscillations between aortae from strokeprone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and normotensive control Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were studied. Endothelium-intact and -removed ring preparations were made from thoracic aorta of SHRSP and WKY, and isometric contraction was observed. Endothelium-intact preparations from WKY showed tension oscillations in response to high concentration of noradrenaline at significantly higher ratio, while only a few endotheliumremoved preparation showed tension oscillations in response to low concentration of the drug. Fifteen out of 41 endothelium-removed preparations from SHRSP showed tension oscillations in response to low concentration of noradrenaline but no preparation showed oscillations in response to high concentration of the drug. Seven and 14 out of 42 endothelium-intact preparations from SHRSP showed oscillatory response to low and high concentration of the drug, respectively. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation and tension oscillations, both of which being significantly less in the preparation from SHRSP. Both the endothelium-independent tension oscillations and endothelium-dependent tension oscillations were abolished by removal of extracellular Ca or by verapamil. It is suggested that aortic smooth muscle of SHRSP possesses the property which produced tension oscillations, while the tension oscillations of WKY aorta is endothelium-dependent. The opening of voltagedependent Ca++ channel of smooth muscle cell membrane which generates rhythmic contraction is increased in the aorta of SHRSP, while the release of endothelium-derived factors which induces rhythmic activities of smooth muscle cell is decreased.

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It is of interest to know whether or not the removal of the pyloric branch of the vagus nerve (subsequently referred to as vagotomy) is associated with the eary stagnation of gastric contents supervening upon duodenectomy with preservation of the total stomach and pylorus (innervation of pylorus group 5, denervation of pylorus group 5). In the present study preservative duodenectomy was performed on dogs to determine the effects of vagotomy on gastroduodenojejunal motility and gastric emptying. The group of typical strong preprandial contraction waves (subsequently referred to as phase III) did not appear after vagotomy. The appearance of phase III was delyed and its duration was reduced. The duration of pyloric phase III significantly reduced, at 2 and 4 weeks post-surgery, in the dennervation of pylorus group, compared to the innervation of pylorus group, and at 4 weeks, the area of phase III was significantly decresed in the dennervation group.Postvagotomy gastric emptying was poor throughout the course of observation. The results of this study suggest that the vagotomy-induced change in gastroduodenal motility in fasting conditions is one of the factors responsible for the stangnation of gastric contents.

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Various operative techniques have been used for esophageal achalasia, but a difinitive technique has not been established yet. During 1958-1994, 117 patients with esophageal achalasia were treated at our clinic. The techniques of Heller and Wendel or the modified Girard method have been succesfully performed on 83 cases without any postoperative accidents. In 72 (87%) of these cases, the operation was performed by the modified Girard method with a successful result. The technical point of the modified Girard method consists in a long myotomy, while the mucosa value, created by horizontal suture, works as a refluxpreventing valve.
Here we report the details and follow up studies of advanced achalasia (Sigmoid type) by esophageal X-ray and manometric findings. We also developed postoperative X-ray criteria to classify. On the basis of these data satisfactory results were recognized in 94% of our cases by modified Girard method.

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Intraluminal pressure of sphincter of Oddi (SO) was measured in awake patients who had undergone cholecystectomy and T-tube drainage for cholecystocholedocholithiasis. Pressure measurement was carried out using microtransducer which was inserted through sinus tract under cholangioscopy after removing T-tube. Mean value of the basal pressure was 12.0±1.5 mmHg, the amplitude of the phasic contraction was 55.2±4.4 mmHg and the frequency of the phasic contraction was 4.2±0.3 cycle/min. Intravenous administration of caerulein or atropine caused marked decrease in the amplitde and the frequency of the phasic contraction of SO, whereas pentazocine caused marked increase in the basal pressure, the amplitude and the frequency of the phasic contraction of SO. Naloxone alone did not affect the phasic contraction of SO, but it reduced the increased amplitude and frequency of the phasic contraction of SO caused by pentazocine. In conclusion, cholinergic nerves, excitatory nerves mediated by opioid receptors and non-cholinergic non-adrenergic inhibitory nerves may modulate spontaneous motor activity of human sphincter of Oddi.

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