title: Effects of cigarette smoking or ingestion of nicotine on platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels in smokers and non-smokers.
abstract: Platelets of healthy smokers and non-smokers were prepared and their content of 5-hydroxytryptamine was determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Platelet 5-HT levels in smokers (728 +/- 156 pmol per 10(8) platelets, mean +/- SEM, n = 9) were significantly higher than those in non-smokers (353 +/- 156 pmol per 10(8) platelets, n = 11). Smoking of a single cigarette caused a transient increase in platelet 5-HT levels by about 350% in non-smokers, but had no additional effect in smokers. Similarly, chewing of nicotine gum (4-8 mg nicotine) resulted in a transient increase in platelet 5-HT by about 100% in non-smokers, but not in smokers. In conclusion, smoking of cigarettes can cause an increase in platelet 5-HT, most likely via an enhanced supply of 5-HT from enterochromaffin cells which can be stimulated via nicotine receptors.
authors.affiliation: Pharmakologisches Institut, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Racké
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schwörer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simson
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004759:Enterochromaffin Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D009538:Nicotine