title: Gastrointestinal effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and related drugs.
abstract: This paper deals with the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) and related drugs on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The nomenclature and classification of 5-HT receptors, as well as their putative role in the GIT are updated in this review. Besides its effects on the cardiovascular system, which have been extensively described, several lines of evidence suggest a role for 5-HT in regulating gastrointestinal functions. 5-HT is present in the gastrointestinal tissues, and can elicit contraction or relaxation by activation of a wide variety of mechanisms and receptors. At least four main types of receptors (5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and 5-HT4) have been described and all the four types seem to influence the GIT. In this respect, the 5-HT2, and in some cases the 5-HT1 receptors, appear to be present on the gastrointestinal smooth muscle, while 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 are mainly neuronal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Dhasmana
authors.forename: Y N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Villalón
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin