Tryptophan administration increase contractility and change the ultrastructure of mice duodenum

Serotonin (5-HT) is a metabolite of tryptophan (TRP). 5-HT has been shown to induce contractions in rat duodenum and ileum. We planned to investigate the in vivo effects of TRP administration on duodenal contractility and ultrastructure together. Two equal groups of adult male Swiss-albino mice were used in the experiments. Controls (CONT) and TRP treated (100 mg/kg/24 hr in 0.2 ml. saline solution ip, 7 days). Body weights were recorded at the beginning and at the end of experiments. Duodenum tissues contractility responses to different concentration of KCl and acethycholine (ACh) were recorded on polygraph. The ultrastructural changes in duodenum observed by transmission electron microscopic (TEM) method and 5-HT levels determined by immunohistochemical method. Body weights decreased and duodenal contractile response of ACh increased significantly by TRP treatment. The duodenal ultrastructural changes in TRP group illustrated partially loss of apical surface and fusion in microvilli. Immunohistochemical detection showed that 5-HT increased by TRP treatment. There is a relation between duodenal contractility increased by TRP treatment and changes in the duodenal tissue 5-HT level and ultrastructure.