Enterochromaffin cell
Enterochromaffin cells (from Greek έντερον "intestine", Greek χρώμα "color", and Latin affinitas "relationship") are specialized cells in the epithelial tissue of the digestive tract . As so-called neuroendocrine cells of the intestinal mucosa , they produce and release certain hormones and neurotransmitters . These highly granulated cells owe their name to their occurrence in the intestine on the one hand and to their ability to bind dyes and thereby give themselves an intense color on the other .
Function of the EC cells
The enterochromaffin cells (EC cells) in the small intestine but serotonin from which primarily affect the intestinal motility is by activating the muscle cells of the intestine. By far the greatest amount of serotonin in the human body is produced by these cells. The enterochromaffin cells are mainly responsible for the nausea that occurs during chemotherapy . Active ingredients such as ondansetron reduce the nauseating effect of serotonin, which is increasingly released during radiation treatment.
Enterochromaffin cells also act as sensors that can be stimulated by nutrients in the intestine. They are able to detect aromatic substances in the food and then release serotonin. As a result, aromas stimulate digestive activity by releasing serotonin.
Degeneration of the EC cells
Neuroendocrine cell tumors are typically still able to produce hormones. The uncontrolled over-secretion of cell hormones then leads to typical clinical pictures. EC cell tumors are a type of neuroendocrine tumor, also called carcinoid . Patients with carcinoid syndrome typically suffer from excess serotonin, including diarrhea and attacks of reddening of the skin ( flush ). Research into this cancer is therefore focused on the precise functioning and detailed genetic analysis of the cell types mentioned. Doctors and cell biologists expect new approaches to cancer treatment and prevention from the findings .
Enterochromaffin-like cells (ECL cells)
The enterochromaffin-like cells of the gastric mucosa stimulate the gastric acid production of the hydrochloric acid-secreting parietal cells of the stomach through the release of histamine . These cells do not produce serotonin.
Individual evidence
- ^ AC Christie: A Study of the Kultschitzky (Argentaffin) Cell with the Electron-microscope, after Fixation by Osmium Tetroxide . In: Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science . tape 96 , no. 3 , 1955, pp. 295–299 ( biologists.org [PDF; 1.9 MB ; accessed on May 26, 2017]).
- ↑ T. Braun, P. Voland, L. Kunz, C. Prinz, M. Gratzl: Enterochromaffin Cells of the Human Gut: Sensors for Spices and Odorants . In: Gastroenterology . tape 132 , no. 5 , May 2007, pp. 1890-1901 , PMID 17484882 .