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Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice
Published on: June 2, 2022
Gut-derived serotonin and its emerging roles in immune function, inflammation, metabolism and the gut-brain axis
Suhrid Banskota1, Waliul I Khan
1Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Purpose Of Review:
To shed light on the recently uncovered diverse role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) in the regulation of immune functions, inflammation, metabolism, and gut-brain axis.
Recent Findings:
Peripheral 5-HT which accounts for approximately 95% of the total is largely synthesized in the gut by enterochromaffin cells. Enterochromaffin cells release 5-HT in response to various stimuli including microbial products. Released 5-HT influences secretomotor, sensory and immune functions as well as inflammatory processes in the gut. 5-HT released from enterochromaffin cells enters circulation and is taken up and concentrated in platelets. 5-HT released from the activated platelets interacts with different organs to alter their metabolic activity. 5-HT also serves as a link in the gut-brain axis.
Summary:
Emerging evidence regarding the role of peripheral 5-HT in the regulation of various physiological and pathophysiological conditions opens up new targets for researchers to explore and for clinicians to treat and manage different diseases associated with the altered 5-HT signalling.
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