5-hydroxytryptamine and cholera secretion. Physiological and pharmacological studies in cats and rats

Scand J Gastroenterol. 1982 Aug;17(5):695-703. doi: 10.3109/00365528209181081.

Abstract

The intestinal secretion evoked by close intra-arterial infusion of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in cats was inhibited by tetrodotoxin, a drug abolishing action potentials. Furthermore, the intestinal secretion produced by placing a 2-mM 5-HT solution in the intestinal lumen of rats was inhibited by hexamethonium, a ganglionic receptor-blocking agent. These observations strongly indicate that 5-HT-induced secretion is, at least in part, neurally mediated. It was also shown that 5-HT receptors are involved in the pathophysiology of choleraic secretion, since the secretion was inhibited by making the experimental animal tachyphylactic against 5-HT. No effects of 5-HT tachyphylaxis were noted on fluid transport in normal intestines. The results are discussed in relation to a new hypothesis for the pathophysiology of cholera secretion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Cholera Toxin / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Hexamethonium Compounds / pharmacology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Intestines / innervation
  • Male
  • Partial Pressure
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, Serotonin / physiology
  • Serotonin / pharmacology*
  • Tetrodotoxin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Hexamethonium Compounds
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin
  • Tetrodotoxin
  • Cholera Toxin