title: Physiological, pathophysiological and therapeutic impact of the enteric serotonergic system.
abstract: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) induces various effects in the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract. The response depends primarily on the nature of the 5-HT receptors involved. In the light of the current knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the serotonergic system and the distribution of the various 5-HT receptors in the gut, the established and potential therapeutic impact of 5-HT receptor ligands are discussed. In particular, selective 5-HT receptor ligands influencing intestinal motility and pain perception such as the 5-HT4 receptor agonist prucalopride appear promising for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. molderings@uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Molderings
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1 / Q000187:drug effects; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3 / Q000187:drug effects; D044422:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4 / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; D018490:Serotonin Agents; C097216:serotonin 6 receptor; C104425:serotonin 7 receptor; D044422:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4; D012701:Serotonin