Provided is a use of a compound capable of influencing, at least in part, an activity of a neural
reflex pathway for the preparation of a medicament for altering the
motility of the
gastrointestinal tract. The medicament can be used for prophylaxis and / or treatment of hypomotility of the
gastrointestinal tract. Preferably, generalized hypomotility occurring during
postoperative ileus is prevented and / or treated by a medicament of the invention. In one aspect, the neural
reflex pathway's activity is decreased by, at least in part, preventing stimulation of the pathway by an immunocyte, a macrophage and / or a
mast cell. Activity can also be decreased by, at least in part, preventing immunocyte recruitment. A compound capable of, at least in part, influencing an activity of, for instance, a neural
reflex pathway comprises an anti-ICAM-1
antibody, an anti LFA-1
antibody, and / or
ketotifen. A pharmaceutical composition for prophylactic and / or
therapeutic treatment of an individual against hypomotility of the
gastrointestinal tract comprising a compound capable of, at least in part, decreasing a neural reflex pathway is also herewith provided.