Summary
The distribution of serotonin-containing cells (SC cells) in the human alimentary tract was studied by means of the fluorescent histochemical method of Falck et al. on surgically resected specimens. No SC cells could be observed in the nonmucosal parts of the alimentary tract and in the squamous cell epithelium of the esophagus.
The richest SC cells were observed in the upper portion of the small intestine (namely the duodenum and the jejunum). The rectum was relatively rich in the distribution of SC cells. They moderately distributed in the terminal ileum and the pyloric and cardiac gland region of the stomach. The ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid colon and the fundic gland region of the stomach showed poor distribution of SC cells.
The basal-layer of the mucosa contained generally richer SC cells than the superficial-layer of the mucosa throughout the alimentary tract except for the esophagus. In the pyloric gland region of the stomach, the rectum and the upper portin of the small intestine, often a few SC cells were observed in the basal part of several glands in the transverse section. In contrast, SC cells could be rarely identified in other parts of the alimentary tract even in the basal part of the mucosa. And it was characteristic that SC cells distributed fairly even in the mucosa of the sigmoid colon.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hamperl, H.: Über die “gelben (chromaffenen)” Zellen im gesunden und kranken Magendarmschlauch. Virchows Arch. (Pathol. Anat.) 266: 509–548, 1927.
Hayasaka, Y.: Histopathological study of carcinoid and Kultschitzky cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Tohoku igaku zasshi 77: 39–51, 1968.
Singh, I.: The distribution of cells of the enterochoromaffin system in the gastrointestinal tract of human foetuses. Acta. Anat. 64: 544–558, 1966.
Watanabe, H.: Argentaffin cells in adenoma of the stomach. Cancer 30: 1267–1274, 1972.
Watanabe, H.: Argentaffin cells in the nonneoplastic mucosa, adenoma and carcinoma of the stomach. Jap. J. Cancer Clin. 20: 519–535, 1974.
Jacobson, W.: The argentaffin cells and pernicious anemia. J. Pathol. Bacterol. 49: 1–19, 1939.
Barter, R. and Pearse, A.G.E.: Dection of 5-hydroxyptamine in mammakisn enterochromaffin cells. Nature 172: 810, 1953.
Singh, I.: Argyrophile and argentaffin reactions in individual granules of enterochromaffin cells of reserpine treated guineapig. Arch. Zellfrosch. 81: 501–510, 1967.
Falck, B., Hillarp, N. and Torp, A.: Some observations on the histology and histochemistry of the chromaffin cells probably storing dopamine. J. Hist. Cyt. 7: 323–327, 1959.
Tobe, T., Fujiwara, M. and Tanaka, C: Destribution of Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in the human gastrointestinal tract. Amer. J. Gastroent. 46: 34–37, 1966. localization of histamine and monoamines in the gastric mucosa of man. Histochemie, 18: 74–86, 1969.
12) Falck, B., Hillarp, N.A., Thieme, G. and Torp, A.: Fluorescence of cathecholamines and related com.
Hakanson, R., Lilja, B. and Owman, Ch.: Cellular pounds condensed with formaldehyde. J. Hist. Cyt. 10: 348–355, 1962.
Singh, I.: A modification of the Masson-Hamperl method for staining of argentaffin cells. Anat. Anz. Bd. 115: 81–82, 1964.
Tobe, T.: Enterochromaffin cells and carcinoid syndrome. Nihon Rinsho 32: 745–750, 1974.
Sekizuka, H., Sunagawa, M., Nagai, S., Kojima, S., Doi, H., Kudo, G., Sugihara, K., Hoshi, K. and Murakami, T. : Serotonin-containing cells in chronic gastritis in man. Proceedings of 7th congress of Surgery of digestive tract. Tokyo, P. 19, 1974.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sekizuka, H., Doi, H., Sunagawa, M. et al. The distribution of serotonin-containing cells in the human alimentary tract. Gastroenterol Jpn 10, 316–322 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02776362
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02776362