Stroking human jejunal mucosa induces 5-HT release and Cl- secretion via afferent neurons and 5-HT4 receptors
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Updated: Oct 19, 2026

In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings
Published on: January 21, 2015
J M Kellum1, F C Albuquerque, M C Stoner
1Department of Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0161, USA. jkellum@hsc.vcu.edu
Abstract:
5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release and neural reflex pathways activated in response to mucosal stroking were investigated in muscle-stripped human jejunum mounted in modified Ussing chambers. The mucosa was stroked with a brush at 1/s for 1-10 s. Mucosal stroking resulted in a significant increase in the concentration of 5-HT in the mucosal bath within 5 min. It also was associated with a reproducible positive change (Delta) in short-circuit current (Isc), which was abolished by inhibitors of chloride secretion. Capsaicin and hexamethonium significantly inhibited the DeltaIsc but not the release of 5-HT. The DeltaIsc was inhibited by TTX but not by atropine. It was also inhibited by the 5-HT(3,4) receptor antagonist tropisetron (10 microM) and the 5-HT(4,3) receptor antagonist SDZ-205-557 (10 microM) but not by preferential antagonists of 5-HT(1P), 5-HT(2A), or 5-HT3 receptors. These results suggest that mucosal stroking induces release of mucosal 5-HT, which activates a 5-HT4 receptor on enteric sensory neurons, evoking a neuronal reflex that stimulates chloride secretion.
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