1. [Recent insights into the pathogenesis of abdominal symptoms in functional bowel disorders].
- Author
-
Cervio E, Rondanelli M, Balestra B, Dellabianca A, Agazzi A, Giacosa A, and Tonini M
- Subjects
- Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Dyspepsia drug therapy, Enterochromaffin Cells physiology, Gastrointestinal Agents pharmacology, Gastrointestinal Agents therapeutic use, Gastrointestinal Motility drug effects, Humans, Ileum physiology, Immunohistochemistry, Irritable Bowel Syndrome drug therapy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome metabolism, Muscle, Smooth drug effects, Muscle, Smooth metabolism, Peristalsis drug effects, Peristalsis physiology, Receptors, Serotonin drug effects, Serotonin Agents pharmacology, Serotonin Agents therapeutic use, Serotonin Antagonists pharmacology, Serotonin Antagonists therapeutic use, Dyspepsia etiology, Gastrointestinal Motility physiology, Irritable Bowel Syndrome physiopathology, Receptors, Serotonin physiology, Serotonin physiology
- Abstract
In the gut, 5-HT acts as a paracrine signalling molecule released by enterochromaffin cells and as a transmitter released by some descending serotonergic interneurons. It has a prominent role in the regulation of motility, vascular tone, secretion and perception both in normal and under certain pathophysiological conditions, such as the carcinoid syndrome and the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Serotonin is known to markedly influence bowel function by activating at least five receptor types (5-HT(1,2,3,4,7)). Among all 5-HT receptors, those belonging to the 5-HT3 (a ionotropic receptor) and 5-HT4 (a metabotropic receptor) type are the most extensively studied in gastroenterology, resulting in commercially available (although not worldwide) serotonergic agents for the treatment of IBS and functional dyspepsia. Recently, 5-HT7 receptors have been found to participate in the accommodation process of the circular muscle during the preparatory phase of ileal peristalsis. Since an exaggerated accommodation of the gut wall may contribute to abdominal distension and bloating, 5-HT7 receptor ligands may offer innovative opportunities for the pharmacological treatment of functional bowel disorders.
- Published
- 2007