Enterochromaffin cell

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Enterochromaffin (EC) cells (Kulchitsky cells) are a type of enteroendocrine cell^[1] occurring in the epithelia lining the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract.

1 Function
2 Etymology
3 "Enterochromaffin-like cells"
4 See also
5 References

[edit] Function

They produce and contain about 90% of the body's store of serotonin (5-HT).

In the gastrointestinal tract, 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.

[edit] Etymology

They are called "entero"^[2] meaning related to the gut and "chromaffin" because of a chromium salt reaction that they share with chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla (adrenal glands). ^[3]

[edit] "Enterochromaffin-like cells"

Another population of chromaffin cells is found only in the stomach wall, called enterochromaffin-like cells (ECL). 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, which will stimulate the parietal cells to produce gastric acid.