Enterochromaffin (EC) cells ( "Kulchitsky cells") occur in the epithelia lining the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT; e.g., stomach, small intestine/small bowel, large intestine/small bowel). They produce and contain about 90% of the body's store of serotonin (5-HT). They are called "entero" ^* meaning related to the gut and "chromaffin" because of a chromium salt reaction that they share with chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla (andrenal glands).

• In the GIT, 5-HT is important in response to chemical, mechanical or pathological stimuli in the lumen. It activates both secretory and peristaltic reflexes, and activates vagal afferents (via 5-HT₃ receptors) that signal to the brain (important in the generation of nausea). Ondansetron is an antagonist of the 5-HT₃ receptor and is an effective anti-emetic.

Another population of chromaffin cells is found only in the stomach wall, called enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. They look "like" EC cells but do not contain 5-HT. ECL cells respond to acetylcholine released by the vagus nerve and they in turn release histamine. See Enterochromaffin-like cell for more details.

See also

• Carcinoid syndrome
• Enterochromaffin-like cell
• serotonin

External links

cell biology