Indoleaminergic mechanisms in brain vessels; localization, concentration, uptake and in vitro responses of 5-hydroxytryptamine

Acta Physiol Scand. 1984 Jul;121(3):291-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1984.tb07459.x.

Abstract

Immunocytochemical studies have revealed the presence of 5-HT-containing nerve fibres in all parts of the cerebrovascular bed (arteries, arterioles and veins) of mouse, rat, guinea-pig, rabbit and cat. Biochemical measurements (using HPLC) revealed substantial concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the pial vessels of the rat, rabbit, cat and man, the amounts corresponding well with the density of the perivascular nerve supply. The uptake of 3H-5-HT was studied in arteries removed from the circle of Willis in rats. Maximum uptake was reached after 15 min of incubation at 37 degrees C and plateaued at 30 min. The reaction was temperature-dependent and found to be absent if performed at 0 degrees C. Pharmacological experiments on isolated middle cerebral and basilar arteries showed that vessels from rat and dog were contracted by approximately 90% upon administration of 5-HT, whereas vessels from guinea-pig, rabbit, cat and man were contracted by 40 to 60% relative to 124 mM K+. The EC50 values in the different species varied by between 1.5 X 10(-7) M (rat) and 3 X 10(-9) M (dog). The 5-HT-induced contractions were blocked by the 5-HT antagonists, methysergide, methergoline and ketanserin. Transmural nerve stimulation (TNS) of the rabbit basilar artery revealed a tetrodotoxin sensitive constriction whereas TNS of cat and dog middle cerebral arteries caused a tetrodotoxin-sensitive relaxation. The relaxation was not significantly attenuated until high doses of methergoline (3 X 10(-6) M) or ketanserin (3 X 10(-5) M) had been given.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Cerebral Arteries / drug effects
  • Cerebral Arteries / innervation*
  • Cerebral Arteries / metabolism
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dogs
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / metabolism*
  • Immunochemistry
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Nerve Fibers / metabolism
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin / pharmacology
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacology

Substances

  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Serotonin
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid