title: Pharmacological characterization of the postsynaptic serotonergic receptor in the human uterine artery.
abstract: Serotonergic receptors are involved in many vascular functions, but only a few studies have been made in human vessels. Thus, this study aimed to characterize these receptors in the human uterine artery without endothelium. The pD2 value of serotonin (5-HT) was 5.96, but the intrinsic activity was 59% of that of noradrenaline. Spiperone and ketanserin shifted the concentration-response curves of 5-HT to the right (pA2 = 8.56 and 9.76; slopes = 0.98 and 0.83, respectively). Propranolol, yohimbine, prazosin and atropine did not significantly shift the concentration-response curves to 5-HT. Phentolamine inhibited the 5-HT response (pA2 = 6.69), and previous treatment of the vascular strips with 6-hydroxydopamine only partially reduced such an effect. The results demonstrate the existence, in the human uterine artery, of 5-HT2 receptors which are blocked by high concentrations of phentolamine. In this tissue, 5-HT does not release noradrenaline from perivascular nerves.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Porfirio
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D013563:Sympathectomy, Chemical; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D013565:Sympatholytics; D012701:Serotonin