title: Evidence that 5-HT2 receptors predominantly mediate the contraction of the rat basilar artery to 5-hydroxytryptamine.
abstract: We characterised the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor subtype which mediates the contraction of the rat isolated basilar artery, mounted in a myograph, by using agonists and antagonists for 5-HT1-like, 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors. The rank order of potency for a range of selective agonists was: 5-HT > alpha-methyl-5-HT > 5-carboxamidotryptamine > 2-methyl-5-HT > sumatriptan. The maximum contractions for these agonists (Emax) was less than for 5-HT while 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) was devoid of contractile activity. Ketanserin antagonised the contractile effect of 5-HT in the rat basilar artery with a provisional pA2 estimate of 9.3 +/- 0.2. A similar antagonism was observed against alpha-methyl-5-HT. Ergometrine (0.01-1 microM) was devoid of any agonist activity but antagonised the contractile effect of 5-HT on the rat basilar artery with a provisional pKB of 8.7 (7.8-9.8, 95% confidence limits). The 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor antagonist ICS 205930 (10 microM) did not alter the response to 5-HT. The high potency and efficacy of alpha-methyl-5-HT, poor effect of sumatriptan and antagonism of 5-HT by ergometrine and ketanserin, support the conclusion that the 5-HT2 receptors are primarily responsible for the 5-HT-induced contraction of rat basilar artery.
authors.affiliation: Baker Medical Research Institute, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Deckert
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Angus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004874:Ergonovine / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D019335:Nitroarginine; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D019335:Nitroarginine; D012701:Serotonin; D001120:Arginine; D007650:Ketanserin; D004874:Ergonovine