Reduced Expression of Serotonin Receptor(s) in the Left Colon of Patients With Colonic Inertia

Abstract

In colonic inertia patients, the serotonin receptor(s) immunoreactivity level is lower in muscular mucosa and circular muscle. The absence of a correlation of serotonin receptor(s) immunoreactivity in the muscular mucosa and muscularis propria in the patient group implies that an uncoordinated expression of serotonin receptors may also contribute to colonic inertia. However, the positive correlation between serotonin receptor(s) immunoreactivity levels in the circular muscle and the transit time observed in colonic inertia patients suggests a decrease in stimulatory subtypes and at the same time an increase in inhibitory subtypes of serotonin receptors in this tissue.