[Melatonin synthesis in enterochromaffin cells]

An active synthesis of melatonin which formerly was considered as a specific hormon of the epophysis, in the enterochromaffin cells of the gastro-intestinal tract was demonstrated using a combination of histochemical, biochemical and physiological methods. Biosynthesis of melatonin and serotonin by pinealocytes of the epiphysis and by enterochromaffin cells justifies the inclusion of them into one functional active neuro-endocrine cellular system playing a very important role in the maintaining of homeostasis of the organism.