The serotonergic profile changes as it grows (function of receptor/neurotransmitter systems, types of 5HT receptors, their activity, number, location, serotonin level). In autistic persons this process is probably disturbed from the neurogenesis [8] and [10]. In postnatal life, due to the blood–brain barrier, peripheral and central 5HT are two different deposits. The main producer and a storeroom for the peripheral 5HT are the intestinal enterochromaffin

cells (ECH), and specifically their subgroup referred to as serotonin cells (ECH 5HT). 2% of 5HT in our bodies is stored in the CNS, 95% in the intestines (90% in buy Saracatinib ECH and 10% in the enteric nervous system – ENS), the remaining part is in blood PLT [11]. 5HT is mainly secreted paracrinely from ECH 5HT onto the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. It penetrates into the intestinal lamina propria (it impinges Alpelisib molecular weight on the peripheral nerves’ endings and affects the enteric immune system) and diffuses into the peripheral blood. Small amounts can be found in intestinal lumen (trace amount detected in faeces) [12]. 5HT secreted from ECH is subject to active SETR-mediated reuptake. Molecularly identical SERT is present on blood PLT, cells of the mucosa of the intestines and lungs,

and in the central, peripheral and enteric nervous system. It has been suspected that it is SERT that is responsible for serotonergic disorders in autistic persons. Conducted molecular analyses do not confirm the above theory [13]. Free 5HT in peripheral blood is subject to first pass metabolism in the liver and to a lower degree in the lungs. It is only the 5HT, hidden in blood PLT that avoids the metabolism [12]. Due to the few-day half-life (T1/2) of 5HT and the short time of life of PLT, the PLT level of 5HT reflects the current availability of 5HT for PLT. It should Resveratrol be accepted that PLT 5HT is a reflection of the intestinal production [11]. 5HT is broken down in the body by MAO – A into 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA), which is subsequently extracted from urine.

An indirect proof of an increased serotonin turnover is increased extraction of 5-HIAA [14]. Recently an increased number in ASD patients suffering from problems relating to the GI tract in comparison to the population of persons without the autistic features has been observed. The most common disorders include abdominal pains, disorders in gastrointestinal motor activity and nutritional problems. Both endoscopic and histopathological examinations have confirmed on several occasions an increased number of patients with autistic disorders, suffering from chronic inflammation of the abdomen, the duodenum and the colon [15], [16], [17] and [18]. Moreover, autistic patients present the signs of microbiological gut dysbiosis [19] and [20]. Serotonin is one of the GI transmitters (signaling molecule), which plays a vital role in the perception, motor activity and secretion of the GI tract.