title: Serotonin and the GI tract.
abstract: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) participates in several functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Receptors in seven families (5-HT(1)-5-HT(7)) were identified, many of which are present on enterocytes, intrinsic and extrinsic neurons, interstitial cells, and gut myocytes. Most 5-HT is released from enterochromaffin cells in response to physiologic and pathologic stimuli. Roles of 5-HT in health include control of normal gut motor activity, secretion, and sensation, and regulation of food intake and cell growth. Abnormalities of serotonergic function contribute to symptom genesis in functional bowel disorders, inflammatory and infectious diseases of the gut, emetic responses to varied stimuli, obesity, and dysregulation of cell growth. Therapies acting as agonists or antagonists of 5-HT receptors or that modulate 5-HT reuptake play prominent roles in managing these conditions, although use of many agents is hampered by cardiopulmonary complications. Novel agents are in testing, which may exhibit efficacy without significant toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. whasler@umich.edu
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hasler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D020895:Enterocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D012701:Serotonin