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Published on: May 8, 2020
A Western diet increases serotonin availability in rat small intestine
R L Bertrand1, S Senadheera, I Markus
1Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia. dr.p.bertrand@gmail.com
Endocrinology
|November 12, 2010
Summary
Western diet consumption increases gut serotonin (5-HT) availability in rats. This is due to enhanced 5-HT production and reduced reuptake by intestinal cells, potentially altering gut function.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Diet-induced obesity alters gastrointestinal function and induces mild inflammation.
- Enterochromaffin (EC) cells in the intestine produce serotonin (5-HT), responding to nutrients and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize 5-HT uptake and release from rat ileal EC cells in diet-induced obesity.
- To investigate the impact of a Western diet on 5-HT handling by EC cells.
Main Methods:
- Electrochemical methods measured 5-HT levels in chow-fed (CF) and Western diet-fed (WD) rats.
- Fluoxetine blocked serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) activity.
- Quantitative PCR assessed TPH1 and SERT mRNA; immunohistochemistry quantified EC cells.
Main Results:
- WD rats showed significantly increased 5-HT levels (SS: 19.2 μm; peak: 73.5 μm) compared to CF rats (SS: 12.3 μm; peak: 32.2 μm).
- SERT-dependent 5-HT uptake was reduced in WD rats (108% of control) versus CF rats (212% of control).
- WD rats exhibited increased TPH1 mRNA, decreased SERT mRNA and protein, and more EC cells.
Conclusions:
- Western diet consumption increases 5-HT availability in the rat ileum.
- Increased 5-HT availability results from upregulated synthesis, reduced reuptake, and increased EC cell numbers/content.
- These changes likely alter intestinal motility and sensation in vivo.
