Immunohistochemical evidence for mast cells containing 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat portal vein.
Serotonin was localized to mast cells in the adventitia of the rat portal vein by indirect immunohistochemistry. The mastocytes where preferentially localized to a region delimited by the pyloric and splenic veins. Since neither 48/80 nor reaginic antibody induced a significant change in the intrinsic spontaneous activity of the portal vein it would appear that the mast cells are not involved in a direct vasomotor function. It is suggested that amines released from the mastocytes could regulate blood flow in the vasa vasorum and/or have a role associated with the sensory functions displayed by this vein.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000494:pharmacology
D012701:Serotonin; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; D006632:Histamine