Abstract: Objective To study the different expression of dopaminergic cells in different parts of rat gastrointestinal tract. Methods Immunofluorescence was used to study the distribution of DAT in stomach, duodenum, ileum and colon of normal rats. Total RNA was isolated from some of these parts of rats, and subjected to reverse transcription and amplification with TH and DAT specific primers for semi-quantity PCR detection. Results DAT-immunoreactive cells were detected in stomach, duodenum, ileum and colon of normal rats. There were significant differences of TH and DAT mRNA expression in different parts of GI tract of rats. Conclusion Dopaminergic cells are substantially and differently expressed in different parts of rat gastrointestinal tract. They might be involved in the regulation of GI mobility as well as secretion and absorption by dopamine release.

Key words: dopaminergic cells, tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine transporter, gastrointestinal tract