5-HT metabolism in the intestinal wall of the rat-I. The mucosa.
Serotonin (5-HT) metabolism was studied on isolated mucosa of the rat caecum in order to determine its characteristics in enterochromaffin cells. High levels of 5-HT were found in these cells and weak catabolic processes were demonstrated. Enterochromaffin cells of the mucosa are able to synthesize ((3)H)5-HT from ((3)H)tryptophan in vitro indicating that these cells might contain tryptophan hydroxylase. In addition, a high affinity uptake of exogenous ((3)H)5-HT is demonstrated. These results show that enterochromaffin cells of the mucosa present similar biochemical properties compared to those described for serotoninergic neurons of the central nervous system.
Legay
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C
INSERM-U.6 and CNRS-GR.45, 280 Bd Sainte-Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France.
Faudon
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M
Héry
F
F
Ternaux
J P
JP