Effect of whole body irradiation on spontaneous motility of rat isolated duodenum and its contractile response to acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine

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Abstract
Isolated duodenal segments, obtained from rats exposed 1 to 3 days previously to 1000 R whole body irradiation, had increased average amplitudes of contraction compared to non-irradiated controls. Gut obtained from rats exposed to 500 R and 1000 R showed an apparently normal response to acetylcholine but a diminished contractile response to serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine]. The period of regrowth of the mucosal epithelium 4 to 6 days after 500 R corresponded to a partial or complete recovery in the response to serotonin. An altered intestinal serotonin response possibly associated with mucosal damage must be considered in the etiology of gut motility changes during the acute radiation syndrome.