title: Serotonin and preactivated platelets in essential hypertension.
abstract: In patients with essential hypertension, an activated platelet serotonin-induced vasoconstrictor axis can be postulated. Platelets from hypertensive patients have a shortened half-life, and turnover of serotonin is increased. Vasoconstriction may be produced through activation of 5-HT2 receptors secondary to high wall concentrations of serotonin released from "activated" platelets. The pharmacotherapeutic relevance of this pathophysiological chain of events can be tested with the 5-HT2-receptor blocker ketanserin, but the drug's alpha 1-blocking activity has to be taken into account. Ketanserin lowers blood pressure effectively and to a greater extent in older patients. This points to an age-linked mode of action, possibly related to greater endothelial and blood vessel damage with older age.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin