Serotonin-induced platelet aggregation predicts the antihypertensive response to serotonin receptor antagonists

Abstract

The 5-HT2-receptor antagonist ketanserin (20-40 mg b.i.d.) was administered to 62 patients of both sexes with uncomplicated primary hypertension. After 4 weeks of treatment about 50% of the patients had reached the target diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or below. Interindividual variability was large. In a retrospective analysis the variability could not be explained by sex or the dose of ketanserin. There was a weak association between age and systolic blood pressure response (r = 0.24; P = 0.06), which could be entirely accounted for by the higher base line blood pressure in the elderly patients. In one group of patients (n = 12), the ex vivo aggregation to serotonin (10(-6) M) was studied during treatment with placebo and ketanserin. Ketanserin completely inhibited 5-HT-induced aggregation in all patients. There was a close correlation between the area under the 5-HT-induced platelet aggregation curve during placebo and the subsequent reduction in diastolic blood pressure after 4 weeks of treatment with ketanserin. The present data suggest that the blood pressure response to ketanserin can be predicted from the ex vivo sensitivity of platelets to serotonin. By implication, they also support a role for serotonergic mechanisms in hypertension.

The effect of exposure to negative air ions on the recovery of physiological responses after moderate endurance exercise

“…It was also reported that about 50% of the patients reached the target DBP, of 90 mmHg or below, after 4 weks of treatment, when the 5-HT 2 -receptor antagonist ketanserin (20-40 mg b.i.d.) was administered to 62 patients of both sexes with uncomplicated primary hypertension (Gleerup et al 1993). Krueger and Smith (1960) reported that 5-HT, which is usually present in the tracheas of mice and rabbits, was decreased in these animals by exposure to negative air ions.…”

Laurate Biosensors Image Brain Neurotransmitters In Vivo: Can an Antihypertensive Medication Alter Psychostimulant Behavior?

“…The effects of ketanserin on neurochemicals and behavior are shown in Figure 9A and B. (69), ketanserin is most suitable for these studies because our biosensor is placed in NAc and (c) serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in brain reward (44,46) and in the antihypertensive action of ketanserin (70).…”