Serotonin-containing epithelial cells in rat duodenum. I. Quantitative morphometric study of the distribution density

Neuroendocrine structures of the small intestine of the capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Mammalia, Rodentia)

A complex network of nerve fibers of the enteric nervous system and enteroendocrine cells is known to regulate the gastrointestinal tract. The distribution and frequency of the argyrophil, argentaffin and serotonin immunoreactive endocrine cells and of the submucosal and myenteric nervous ganglia were studied in the small intestine of the capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, aiming to verify the existence of possible numerical correlations between endocrine cells and nervous ganglia. Fragments of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of adult animals were collected and processed according to routine histological techniques. To study the nervous ganglia, hematoxylin and eosin staining was used, while specific staining techniques were used to study the argyrophil, argentaffin and serotonin immunoreactive endocrine cells: Grimelius, modified Masson-Fontana and peroxidase anti-peroxidase, respectively. Endocrine cells were more abundant in the area of the crypts and, in relation to their morphology, ‘open type’ endocrine cells prevailed. The population of argyrophil cells was larger than that of argentaffin cells, and these cells were larger than serotonin immunoreactive cells. The frequency of endocrine cells was apparently greater in the duodenum, indicating the importance of this intestinal segment in digestive and absorptive functions. Prominent nervous ganglia were observed in the submucosal and myenteric plexi, and were larger and more frequent in the myenteric plexus. A numerical correlation was found among the endocrine cells (argentaffin and serotonin immunoreactive cells) and the myenteric nervous ganglia, suggesting the presence of physiological interactions among the endocrine and nervous systems for the control of intestinal activities. The findings in this study contribute to the understanding of the digestive processes of this species, which may also help in its conservation and future survival.

Expression of serotonin, chromogranin-A, serotonin receptor-2B, tryptophan hydroxylase-1, and serotonin reuptake transporter in the intestine of dogs with chronic enteropathy

Serotonin regulates many intestinal motor and sensory functions. Altered serotonergic metabolism has been described in human gastrointestinal diseases. The objective of our study was to compare expression of several components of the serotonergic system [serotonin (5-HT), serotonin reuptake transporter protein (SERT), tryptophan hydroxylase-1 (TPH-1), 5-HT receptor2B (5-HT2B)] and the enterochromaffin cell marker chromogranin-A (CgA) in the intestinal mucosa between dogs with chronic enteropathy and healthy controls. Serotonin and CgA expression were determined by immunohistochemistry using banked and prospectively obtained, paraffin-embedded canine gastrointestinal biopsies (n = 11), and compared to a control group of canine small intestinal sections (n = 10). Expression of SERT, TPH-1, and 5-HT2B were determined via real-time reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR using prospectively collected endoscopic duodenal biopsies (n = 10) and compared to an additional control group of control duodenal biopsies (n = 8, control group 2) showing no evidence of intestinal inflammation. Dogs with chronic enteropathies showed strong staining for both 5-HT and CgA. Mean positive cells per high power field (HPF) were significantly increased for both compounds in dogs with chronic enteropathies (p < 0.001 for 5-HT; p < 0.05 for CgA). The number of 5-HT-positive and CgA-positive cells/HPF showed significant correlation in the entire group of dogs, including both diseased and healthy individuals (Pearson r(2) = 0.2433, p = 0.016). No significant differences were observed for SERT, TPH-1, or 5-HT2B expression; however, dogs with chronic enteropathy showed greater variability in expression of TPH-1 and 5-HT2B We conclude that components of the neuroendocrine system show altered expression in the intestinal mucosa of dogs with chronic enteropathy. These changes may contribute to nociception and clinical signs in these patients.

The role of serotonin in intestinal luminal sensing and secretion

This mini-review addresses the role of the neuroendocrine substance serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in intestinal luminal sensing and secretion. Intestinal sensory neurones are activated by several mechanisms, in particular following stimulation of 'specialized' cells in the mucosa. These specialized cells are the enteroendocrine cells, which contain a wide variety of neuroendocrine transmitters. One of these enteroendocrine cells is the enterochromaffin (EC) cell, which is present throughout the intestines and contains large amounts of serotonin, predominantly in the duodenum in humans. The EC cells act as mucosal sensory transducers and secrete serotonin in response to various physiological and pathological luminal stimuli. Following release, serotonin participates in several mucosal protecting processes, one being secretion. Serotonin stimulates active ion, mucus and fluid secretion. Epithelial 5-HT(2) receptors and neuronal 5-HT(1P), 5-HT(3) and 5-HT(4) receptors mediate the secretory effect of serotonin. A transmembrane serotonin transporter terminates epithelial serotonergic signalling. The transient receptor potential ion channel family is important for processing intestinal luminal sensory signalling. Accumulating evidence suggests a significant interaction between serotonin and one of the transient receptor potential ion channels, the capsaicin-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1. Accordingly, EC cells, serotonergic receptors and transporter(s), and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 ion channels are all explored as pharmacological targets for treatment of some intestinal functional disorders.

A serotonin-like immunoreactivity is present in human cutaneous melanocytes

Immunohistochemistry was applied in the investigation of the possible existence of serotonin in human skin. It was found that epidermal melanocytes express a serotonin-like immunoreactivity. The immunoreactivity was associated with both the cytoplasm and the cellular membrane, though the latter was only found in certain cells. The serotonin anti-serum labeled the same cells as NKI-beteb, which is known as a reliable marker of melanocytes. Blocking experiments showed that both serotonin and NKI-beteb have different epitopes in the melanocytes. In in vitro studies, serotonin-like immunoreactivity appeared in approximately 90% of cultured human melanocytes, and was found both in the cytoplasm and also in the nuclei. Thus, we believe the melanocytes to be the origin of serotonin (or a serotonin-like molecule) in the skin.

Effect of reserpine on 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP)-immunoreactive neurons in the rat brain

By immunohistochemistry of rat brain in conjunction with a specific antibody against 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP), we examined immunoreactivity to 5HTP in neurons, from which 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT; serotonin) was depleted by reserpine treatment. The distribution patterns of 5HTP-positive neurons overlapped with those of 5HT neurons. Treatment with reserpine (5 mg/kg, 90 min before death) caused a complete suppression of 5HT-positive staining, but 5HTP-immunostaining remained in perikarya of the nuclei raphe dorsalis, centralis superior and obscurus. Treatment with reserpine (25 mg/kg, 90 min before death) suppressed the 5HTP-immunoreaction in certain perikarya (e.g. of the nucleus raphe dorsalis) and fibres; however, 5HTP-immunostaining remained in perikarya of the nuclei centralis superior and raphe obscurus. This suggests that these neurons synthesize more 5HTP by a process which appears to be stimulated by reserpine.

Serotonin-containing epithelial cells in rat duodenum. II. Quantitative study of the effect of 5HTP administration

The effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) administration on serotonin (5HT)-containing epithelial cells in rat duodenum was investigated quantitatively using three-dimensional morphometry to determine cell density and HPLC to measure 5HT and 5HTP concentrations. The results are interpreted in terms of the amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) capacity of the cells. After administration of 5HTP, no significant change was observed in the density of 5HT-fluorescent epithelial cells in the duodenal region examined. Moreover, no evidence could be obtained that the concentration of 5HT in duodenal villi was increased after 5HTP administration, despite a highly significant increase in serum 5HTP and 5HT levels. These results indicate that no cells in the duodenal epithelium have the ability to decarboxylate exogenously administered 5HTP and convert it to 5HT under physiological conditions.