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Effects of sumatriptan on the cerebral intraparenchymal microcirculation in the cat
Author(s) -
Kobari Masahiro,
Fukuuchi Yasuo,
Tomita Minora,
Tanahashi Norio,
Konno Shizuko,
Takeda Hidetaka
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1993.tb13983.x
Subject(s) - sumatriptan , medicine , anesthesia , vasoconstriction , cerebral blood flow , migraine , cerebral circulation , microcirculation , agonist , receptor
1 Sumatriptan, a 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) 1 ‐like receptor agonist, is effective against the headache of migraine. The effects of sumatriptan injected via the carotid artery on the cerebral microcirculation were studied in 10 anaesthetized cats. 2 The local cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time of blood (MTT) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the parieto‐temporal cortex were measured by a photoelectric method. CBV represents the cumulative dimensions of the cerebral microvessels. 3 Sumatriptan at 5 and 50 μg kg −1 had no significant effects on the CBV, MTT, CBF, and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP); 500 μg kg −1 of sumatriptan reduced the CBV, prolonged the MTT, and decreased the CBF (approximately −20%) without affecting the MABP. Sumatriptan, 5 mg kg −1 , elicited transient reductions in CBV and CBF, which were attributable to the rapid and marked falls of MABP seen with this dose. 4 Thus, while a high dose of sumatriptan (500 μg kg −1 ) exhibits direct vasoconstrictor actions on the cerebral vessels, low doses of sumatriptan, within the therapeutic range, elicit no vasoconstriction. The data do not support a vasoconstrictor action of sumatriptan playing a primary role in reversing the headache of migraine.