Open AccessSerotonin and the Blood Vessel Wall
Author(s) -
J. M. Van Nueten
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.762
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1533-4023
pISSN - 0160-2446
DOI - 10.1097/00005344-198500077-00015
Subject(s) - ketanserin , serotonin , vasodilation , vascular smooth muscle , medicine , hypoxia (environmental) , serotonin antagonists , platelet , endocrinology , blockade , vasoconstriction , 5 ht receptor , chemistry , smooth muscle , receptor , oxygen , organic chemistry
When the local concentration of serotonin is raised during platelet aggregation, the direct effect of serotonin on vascular smooth muscle is to activate the contractile process. Serotonin also amplifies the constrictor responses to other neurohumoral mediators. Vascular smooth muscle can become hyperreactive to the vasoconstrictor effects of serotonin both acutely (e.g., local cold, hypoxia) and chronically (e.g., atherosclerosis, hypertension). Vasodilator responses to serotonin can be unmasked by blockade of its vasoconstrictor component. The inhibition by ketanserin of the various vasoconstrictor and platelet-aggregating effects of serotonin presumably contributes to the therapeutic effects of the compound.