[5-Methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine (melatonin) in enterochromaffin cells].
As evidenced from the action of acetone extracts of the mucous layer of the human appendix, these extracts contain a substance capable of bleaching the frog's skin. Model experiments with 0.1% adrenaline, 0.2% noradrenaline, 2.5% hydrocortisone and solutions of various concentrations of synthesized melatonin permitted to identify the above substance as melatonin. The bleaching aciton dependence on the number of enterochromaffin cells (Ec-cells) in the mucous layer of the appendix, and the presence of serotonin in Ec-cells reveal a connection between melatonin and Ec-cells. An average content of 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine in the human appendix amounts to 0.004 mg per 100 Ec-cells. It is suggested that the epiphysis and enterochromaffin cells compose a common functional neuroendocrine system playing a definite role in maintaining the homeostasis of the organism.
D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura; D001065:Appendix / Q000166:cytology; D002838:Chromaffin System / Q000378:metabolism*; D004759:Enterochromaffin Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology; D008547:Melanophores / Q000187:drug effects; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology
D014020:Tissue Extracts; D008550:Melatonin
5-Metoksi-N-atsetiltriptamin (melatonin) v énterokhromaffinnykh kletkakh