Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
08:15
Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor (GIMM)
Published on: December 1, 2010
Melatonin and serotonin effects on gastrointestinal motility
1Department of Pathophysiology, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Czysta 18 str., Cracow, Poland.
Summary
Melatonin, a hormone primarily from the gut, plays a key role in digestive health. It influences gut motility and may offer therapeutic benefits for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and colorectal cancer.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a significant extra-pineal source of melatonin.
- Melatonin's presence suggests its involvement in digestive pathophysiology.
- GI melatonin release from enterochromaffin cells indicates a relationship with serotonin and feeding patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of melatonin in GI function and pathophysiology.
- To explore melatonin's potential as a therapeutic agent for GI disorders.
Main Methods:
- Assessed melatonin concentrations after food deprivation.
- Examined melatonin's effects on GI transit, migrating motor complex (MMC), and gastric emptying.
- Investigated the interaction between melatonin and serotonin on isolated bowel preparations.
- Explored the role of CCK2 and 5HT3 receptors in melatonin's effects on gastric emptying.
Main Results:
- Food deprivation increased tissue and plasma melatonin levels.
- Low-dose melatonin improved GI transit and affected MMC patterns, while high doses delayed gastric emptying.
- Melatonin modulated the ileal brake's effect on gastric emptying following lipid infusion.
- Melatonin reduced smooth muscle tone in isolated bowel preparations without affecting contraction amplitude or frequency.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin acts as an autocrine and paracrine hormone in the GI tract, influencing epithelium, immune system, and smooth muscle.
- Melatonin demonstrates potential therapeutic applications for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, and gastric ulcers, independent of its effects on sleep or mood.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...
01:28Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Prokinetic agents are specialized medications that stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, promoting food movement through the GI tract. Dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, plays a significant role in this process, reducing GI motility and indirectly controlling the speed of digestion. Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, offer a unique advantage as prokinetic agents. By blocking the dopamine receptors, these drugs increase GI motility, improving food...
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Gastrointestinal or GI motility disorders are characterized by irregular gastrointestinal tract movements, disrupting food transit from the mouth to the anus. They are caused by damage or dysfunction in gut muscles or nerves. These disorders can cause symptoms such as severe constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and swallowing difficulties. Disorders can affect any segment of the GI tract and range widely in severity, from common conditions like GERD to life-threatening conditions like...
01:17Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
01:16Gastric Motility
Gastric motility is the coordinated contraction and relaxation of stomach muscles that convert ingested food into chyme, a semi-liquid substance ready for further digestion in the intestines. The process begins with the vagus nerve inducing the relaxation of the smooth muscles in the fundus and body of the stomach, allowing these regions to expand and accommodate up to approximately 1.5 liters of food and liquid.
Peristaltic Waves and Chyme Formation
Upon food entry, the stomach initiates...
Peristaltic Waves and Chyme Formation
Upon food entry, the stomach initiates...
01:22Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives
Laxatives enhance bowel movements and alleviate constipation. They augment the stool's bulk, stimulate intestinal muscle contractions, draw water into the intestines, or soften the stool. There are five key types of laxatives: bulk laxatives, stimulant laxatives, osmotic laxatives, stool softeners, and lubricant laxatives.
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This makes...
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This makes...