title: Reduced serotonin vascular sensitivity in ergotamine abusers.
abstract: The action of ergotamine on the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) venous sensitivity was studied in ergotamine abuser and non-abuser migraine patients. Ergotamine abusers showed reduced 5-HT hand vein contraction during abuse, compared to seven days after ergotamine withdrawal. In non-ergotamine users, the 5-HT venoconstriction was not significantly modified 12 h after a single intramuscular ergotamine (0.25 mg) administration. Even the administration of ergotamine locally into the vein did not change the venospasm of 5-HT given acutely in the same vein. Therefore, it seems that the 5-HT antagonism does not contribute to the therapeutic effect of ergotamine during the migraine attack. Moreover, the reduced 5-HT responsiveness during ergotamine abuse may possibly be compatible with the chronic headache present in some abusers, the withdrawal headache attacks and the abuse itself.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panconesi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Franchi
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Del Bianco
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anselmi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andreini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sicuteri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D004878:Ergotamine