1. In order to discuss ‘glycerol effect’ in smooth muscle, an outline of the effect in frog skeletal muscle was described. Since the effect relates functionally and structurally to the excitation-contraction coupling (E-C coupling) process, an introductory description on the structure and E-C coupling in smooth muscle was also made.
2. In a Ringer containing glycerol or urea, contractility of frog stomach muscle decreases and then recovers; upon removing the substances, the contractility is again inhibited and then recovers after the lapse of relatively long time. In response to urea-Ringer, a similar phenomenon occurs also in frog ventricular cardiac muscle.could, thus, be said that the appearance of ‘glycerol effect’ has no relation to the presence or absence of the transverse tubular system in muscle cell.
3. Our preliminary electrophysiological results show that these inhibition of the contractility is due to a disturbance of E-C coupling and Ca-event.
4. Ringer containing glycerol or urea exerts an ordinary hyperosmotic effect frog skeletal, stomach, and ventricular cardiac muscles; nevertheress, the substances exist within cells.
5. Based on these findings, the site in the vicinity of plasma membrane was pointed out as the structure responsible for the inward transmission of excitation for triggering contraction.

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The elctrical activity of the stomach of the dog was recorded with suction electrodes in monopolar lead in vivo and effects of vagus and splanchnic nerves stimulation on the elctrical activity in the stomach were studied. The electrical activity consisted of a rhythmic train of triphasic spikes, each being followed by a slow negative potential. Upon repetitive stimulation of the vagus nerve the slow potential increased its amplitude and intervals between the spikes prolonged. Splanchnic nerve stimulations caused effects on the electrical activity in the stomach in different animals as follows; i) complete disappearance of the electrical activity during stimulation and several second after release of stimulation, ii) irregular appearance of the elctrical activity associated with decreases in an amplitude of the slow potential, iii) burst discharges of the spikes without having the slow potentials at the onset of stimulation, and thereafter no electrical activity during stimulation.

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Five functions relating to the bile excretion were recorded simultaneously; that is, pressures of the gall bladder and the common bile duct, amount of bile discharged into the duodenum, spike discharges of the sphincter of Oddi and the duodenal wall. In the observation of motility of the sphincter of Oddi, we used the rubber tube passing through it. Bile flow into the duodenum was continuously measured by the change in pressure. The effects of some drugs were;
Ursodesoxycholate, 10 mg/Kg; evidently increased the volume of bile, and induced the relaxation of the bile excretion.
Pancreozymin, 5 units/Kg; stimulated the five functions.
BaCl₂, 4 mg/Kg; showed the similar effect as Pancreozymin, but the bile excretion was discontinued.
Morphine, 5 mg/Kg; enlarged the spike discharge.
Adrenaline, 5, μg/Kg; exerted inhibitory effect on the five functions.
We would assume from these results as follows; the gall bladder acts to accumulate the bile and controls the pressure of the common bile duct. Bile flow is controlled not only by the common bile duct, but the sphincter of Oddi participates to control of the bile flow. The sphincter of Oddi has the most important role in the bile flow and the bile flow is mainly allowed by the relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi.

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Experimentally, 60 mongorel dogs were subjected to subtotal colectomy with addition of a 5 cm reversed segment of terminal ileum, which was interposed between the small bowel and the residual rectal cuff.
Following these animals for 6 monthes after surgery, they showed no remarkable difference of body weight, total serum proteins concentration, or hematocrit value, compared with the control group which were anastomosed isoperistaltically.
The addition of a 5 cm reversed intestinal segment prolonged mouth-to-anus transit time, and was very effective for shortening the recovery from diarrhea.
Electrical activity was recorded from the immediate cranial portion (portion A), and caudal portion (portion B) of the upper anastomosis and the immediate cranial portion (portion C) of the ileoproctostomy.
In company with portion A, both portion B and portion C showed electrophysiologically chronic hypertrophic changes in 24 weeks postoperatively. No propagation of movement beyond the upper anastomotic line was observed.
In the reversed ileal segment, peristalsis maintained original direction up to 24weeks after surgery in electrophysiological studies and X-ray cinematographic observations of bowel motility.
From observation of X-ray cinematography and the removed specimens, it was supposed that the 5 cm reversed ileal segment was usefull as a reservoir portion after loss of reservoir function of the colon.
The clinical application of an antiperistaltic segment of adequate length for patients requiring colectomy would appear feasible.

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A 62 year old housewife had marked increase and accumulation of glycolipids in the liver and the spleen . Comparison of the clinical findings, patho-anatomical findings and results of chemical analysis revealed resemblance to the changes in the skin, smooth muscle, heart and kidney, in this case, to those of Fabry's disease, while the ocular and reticulo-endothelial findings resembled Gaucher's disease . However the entire picture was different from Fabry's and Gaucher's disease . From this autopsy case, relationship between smooth muscle and glycolipids was mainly discussed.

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