Mechanisms of cisapride affecting gallbladder motility.

Regulation of gallbladder motility is complex. Mechanisms via which cisapride may interact with gallbladder function are being reviewed. These are multiple and include direct effects on gallbladder and the sphincter of oddi, as well as indirect effects involving gastro-intestinal hormone levels, gastric emptying, gallbladder refilling, interdigestive migrating motor cycle (IMMC) and small intestinal transit. Effects, moreover, may vary according to dose, route and duration of cisapride administration, which may explain conflicting data so far with cisapride.