The purpose of this study was to elucidate the intestinal serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtypes involved in fluid transport in the pig jejunum in uioo. The fluid accumulating effect of intraluminally administered 5-HT, renzapride, methysergide, ketanserin, granisetron, citalopram and intravenous indomethacin, was tested in tied- off loops in uiuo. 5-HT caused a dose-dependent fluid accumulation, which was reduced by indomethacin by about 30 %. Renzapride, methysergide, ketanserin, granisetron and citalopram all caused fluid accumulation. Taking into account these fluid accumulating effects, renzapride, methysergide, ketanserin and granisetron reduced the fluid accumulating effect of 5-HT, giving a maximal reduction of 70, 46, 76, and 80 %, respectively. These data suggest the existence of intestinal 5-HT receptor subtypes involved in fluid transport in the pig jejunum. The antagonistic effects of indomethacin, ketanserin and granisetron, suggest the involvement of prostangladins, as well as the 5-HT2 and the 5-HT3 receptor subtypes in the fluid accumulating response of 5-HT.
This review presents recent findings regarding the physiological and pathophysiological extra- and intracellular mechanisms of secretory diarrhoea. Putative interventions directed towards counteracting the mechanisms causing fluid loss, especially in relation to the enteric nervous system, intracellular mediators, and localization of fluid and electrolyte transport, are discussed. The enteric nervous system regulates the complex process of transmural fluid and electrolyte transport by controlling the function of the mucosa, the motility, and the microcirculation in both health and disease. Most of the processes, leading to secretory diarrhoea, involve activation of the enteric nervous system, with local release of neurotransmitters and other endogenous effectors, which induce chloride secretion. A new therapeutic approach is based on stimulation of absorption and inhibition of secretion by using receptor agonists and antagonists, and modulators of intracellular signal transduction. A physio-pharmacological review of serotonin and the antisecretory factor as modulators of intestinal fluid and electrolyte transport is given.