The in vitro effect of neurotensin on human jejunal mast cells.

Neurotensin was added to human jejunal mucosal biopsy specimens from six individuals. Fifty-seven per cent degranulation of mast cells was seen at a concentration of neurotensin of 10(-9) M and 43% at 10(-6) M, as compared with 31% with IgE antibody/antigen. There was no change in degranulation with neurotensin when IgE was added to biopsy specimens before neurotensin in a 10(-6) M solution. This effect of neurotensin on human jejunal mast cells supports the evidence for receptors for neurotensin on mast cells shown in rat experiments.