Types of endocrine cells in the human colon and rectum

Abstract

At least four types of endocrine-like cells have been detected histochemically in the mucosa of the human colon and rectum, i.e. argentaffin cells storing 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) and non-argentaffin cells reacting with glucagon, somatostatin and bovine pancreatic peptide (BPP) antibodies. Ultrastructurally, four main types and three rare types of endocrine-like cells have been identified. Among the former cells were: (1) argentaffin EC1 cells, known to store 5HT and substance P, (2) poorly argyrophil L cells, corresponding to the glucagon-immunoreactive cells storing enteroglucagon or glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLl), (3) inconstantly argyrophil F-like cells, possibly corresponding to BPP-immunoreactive cells, and (4) fairly argyrophil H cells of unknown function. Rare D cells, corresponding to somatostatin cells, N cells, corresponding to neurotensin cells, and P cells, of unknown function, have been also found.

Somatostatin Through Its Specific Receptor Inhibits Spontaneous and TNF-α- and Bacteria-Induced IL-8 and IL-1β Secretion from Intestinal Epithelial Cells

“…In addition, somatostatin is produced by enteric nerve endings innervating the intestine (11)(12)(13)(14). These diverse cellular somatostatin sources may actually control the amount, location, and timing of somatostatin secretion.…”

“…A candidate neuropeptide that may be involved in such neuronal regulation is somatostatin, a 14-aa cyclic peptide that is released from nerve endings that reach the intestine and thus may affect various cells within the mucosa. Within the intestine, somatostatin is also secreted from nonneuronal cells distributed throughout the length of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically in the antrum and duodenum, as well as in the small intestine and colon (11)(12)(13)(14). The idea that various cells within the intestine can respond to somatostatin is supported by studies showing that various cell types found throughout the intestine, including epithelial cells, expressed somatostatin receptors (15)(16)(17).…”

The Physiology of Glucagon-like Peptide 1

“…Upon the advent of the radioimmunoassay for glu-cagon, one of the first radioimmunoassays to be developed (296), it was confirmed that the gastrointestinal tract contains substances with glucagon immunoreactivity, i.e., reacting with the antibodies employed in the radioimmunoassay (297). In addition, in immunohistochemical studies, some intestinal endocrine cells could be stained using glucagon antibodies (83), but it was also shown that these cells differed from the pancreatic A-cells with respect to granule morphology (83), and they were hence designated as "L-cells" (26). Furthermore, in 1968, it was established (298) that the glucagon-like immunoreactive material that was secreted in response to an oral glucose load differed from true glucagon both physicochemically and biologically.…”

Effect of the glycemic index of carbohydrates on day-long (10 h) profiles of plasma glucose, insulin, cholecystokinin and ghrelin

“…Dietary protein is the most satiating macronutrient in experimental meal settings (Poppitt et al, 1998), with high-protein meals increasing blood concentrations of CCK (Blom et al, 2006;Bowen et al, 2006). Fat (Matzinger et al, 1999) and to a lesser extent carbohydrate (Holt et al, 1992;Parker et al, 2005) also stimulate CCK production from I cells in the duodenum and jejunum (Buffa et al, 1978).…”