Biomaterial Database

5-HT and the brain-gut axis: opportunities for pharmacologic intervention. 2007

Michael D Crowell, and Sarah B Wessinger

Interactions between the enteric nervous system of the gut and the brain occur bidirectionally over sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways. Coordinated actions of the central, autonomic and enteric nervous systems modulate intestinal motor, sensory and secretory activities by neuromodulators, including 5-HT, noradrenaline and dopamine. 5-HT is an important signaling molecule in the brain-gut axis and the 5-HT released from enterochromaffin cells modulates peristaltic, secretory, vasodilatory, vagal and nociceptive reflexes. Irritable bowel syndrome is associated with altered motility, secretion and sensation; enteric 5-HT signaling may be defective in this disorder. In this editorial, recent data are reviewed and the potential for the development of pharmacologic intervention is assessed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D005769	Gastrointestinal Motility	The motor activity of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.	Intestinal Motility,Gastrointestinal Motilities,Intestinal Motilities,Motilities, Gastrointestinal,Motilities, Intestinal,Motility, Gastrointestinal,Motility, Intestinal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012701	Serotonin	A biochemical messenger and regulator, synthesized from the essential amino acid L-TRYPTOPHAN. In humans it is found primarily in the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and blood platelets. Serotonin mediates several important physiological functions including neurotransmission, gastrointestinal motility, hemostasis, and cardiovascular integrity. Multiple receptor families (RECEPTORS, SEROTONIN) explain the broad physiological actions and distribution of this biochemical mediator.	5-HT,5-Hydroxytryptamine,3-(2-Aminoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol,Enteramine,Hippophaine,Hydroxytryptamine,5 Hydroxytryptamine
D017288	Pain Threshold	Amount of stimulation required before the sensation of pain is experienced.	Pain Thresholds,Threshold, Pain,Thresholds, Pain
D017367	Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors	Compounds that specifically inhibit the reuptake of serotonin in the brain.	5-HT Uptake Inhibitor,5-HT Uptake Inhibitors,5-Hydroxytryptamine Uptake Inhibitor,5-Hydroxytryptamine Uptake Inhibitors,SSRIs,Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor,Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor,Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors,Serotonin Uptake Inhibitor,Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors,Inhibitors, 5-HT Uptake,Inhibitors, 5-Hydroxytryptamine Uptake,Inhibitors, Serotonin Reuptake,Inhibitors, Serotonin Uptake,Reuptake Inhibitors, Serotonin,Uptake Inhibitors, 5-HT,Uptake Inhibitors, 5-Hydroxytryptamine,Uptake Inhibitors, Serotonin,Inhibitor, 5-HT Uptake,Inhibitor, 5-Hydroxytryptamine Uptake,Inhibitor, Serotonin Reuptake,Inhibitor, Serotonin Uptake,Reuptake Inhibitor, Serotonin,Uptake Inhibitor, 5-HT,Uptake Inhibitor, 5-Hydroxytryptamine,Uptake Inhibitor, Serotonin
D017615	Enteric Nervous System	Two ganglionated neural plexuses in the gut wall which form one of the three major divisions of the autonomic nervous system. The enteric nervous system innervates the gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas, and the gallbladder. It contains sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. Thus the circuitry can autonomously sense the tension and the chemical environment in the gut and regulate blood vessel tone, motility, secretions, and fluid transport. The system is itself governed by the central nervous system and receives both parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation. (From Kandel, Schwartz, and Jessel, Principles of Neural Science, 3d ed, p766)	Enteric Nervous Systems,Nervous System, Enteric,Nervous Systems, Enteric,System, Enteric Nervous,Systems, Enteric Nervous
D041981	Gastrointestinal Tract	Generally refers to the digestive structures stretching from the MOUTH to ANUS, but does not include the accessory glandular organs (LIVER; BILIARY TRACT; PANCREAS).	Digestive Tract,GI Tract,Digestive Tracts,GI Tracts,Gastrointestinal Tracts
D043183	Irritable Bowel Syndrome	A disorder with chronic or recurrent colonic symptoms without a clearcut etiology. This condition is characterized by chronic or recurrent ABDOMINAL PAIN, bloating, MUCUS in FECES, and an erratic disturbance of DEFECATION.	Colitis, Mucous,Colon, Irritable,Colitides, Mucous,Irritable Bowel Syndromes,Irritable Colon,Mucous Colitides,Mucous Colitis,Syndrome, Irritable Bowel,Syndromes, Irritable Bowel