[Gastroenterologic endocrinology: basic aspects].

Gastrointestinal cells produce several substances which act as messengers in the various biochemical processes of the body. These substances are released by endocrine, paracrine and neurocrine mechanisms. Both, hormonal and neuronal phenomenaregulate the absorptive, secretory and motility activity of the gastrointestinal tract. This paper goes over basic and general aspects of hormones secreted in the gastrointestinal system in order to make easier the understanding of their influence in the health and disease.