MODULATION BY 5-HT3 AND 5-HT4 RECEPTORS OF THE RELEASE OF 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE FROM THE GUINEA-PIG SMALL-INTESTINE

The effects of agonists and antagonists of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors on the release of endogenous 5-HT from enterochromaffin cells were studied in the vascularly perfused isolated guinea-pig small intestine. The experiments were done in the presence of tetrodotoxin in order to exclude a neuronally mediated influence on 5-HT release. The 5-HT3 receptor agonist 2-methyl-5-HT increased 5-HT release, and this effect was antagonized by 1 nmol/l tropisetron. Nanomolar concentrations of tropisetron, MDL 72 222 and granisetron decreased 5-HT release. Ondansetron (0.1 and 1 mumol/1) did not modify 5-HT release. 5-Methoxytryptamine, BIMU8 and cisapride concentration-dependently inhibited 5-HT release. BIMU8 was more potent than 5-methoxytryptamine. Micromolar concentrations of tropisetron (1 and 10 mumol/1) enhanced the release, whilst methiothepine (0.1 mumol/1) did not affect the release of 5-HT. The results suggest that enterochromaffin cells of the guinea-pig ileum do not contain 5-HT, and 5-HT2 receptors, but are endowed with 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 autoreceptors. Activation of the 5-HT3 receptors triggers a positive feedback mechanism leading to an increase of 5-HT release. The 5-HT3 receptors on the enterochromaffin cell differ from neuronal 5-HT3 receptors on guinea-pig myenteric plexus by their high affinity for tropisetron and MDL 72 222, and their very low affinity for ondansetron. Stimulation of 5-HT4 receptors causes inhibition of release; the inhibitory 5-HT4 receptor mechanism appears to predominate.