Decreased expression of serotonin in the jejunum and increased numbers of mast cells in the terminal ileum in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Figure 4 The number of small intestinal mucosal mast cells in IBS patients and the healthy controls. The number of mast cells at the terminal ileum in patients with IBS is significantly different compared with that in the healthy controls (P < 0.001). The numbers of mast cells in patients with IBS-C and IBS-D at the other two parts of the intestine do not have significant differences, compared with those in the healthy controls (P > 0.05). ^aP < 0.05 vs healthy controls. EC cell: Enterochromaffin cells; 5-HT: Serotonin; IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome; IBS-C: Constipation predominant IBS; IBS-D: Diarrhea predominant IBS; hpf: High power field.