Plethysmographic registration of volume changes in a hand vein. Effects of serotonin and of a specific antagonist.
The influence of serotonin on a selected dorsal hand vein can be evaluated by changes in tangential wall tension, volume, and pressure. A plethysmographic method has been used to record the changes in venous capacitance at constant pressure after IV injection of small doses of serotonin. R 41 468, a specific serotonin antagonist, has been given orally (10, 20, or 40 mg) or intravenously (2.5 or 10 mg) to healthy volunteers. A reduction or a complete blockade of activity of serotonin was observed after all doses of R 41 468. Duration and strength of the antagonism were dose-dependent. This pharmacologic in vivo model allows investigations into substances with an effect on vascular smooth muscles.
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001810:Blood Volume; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007650:Ketanserin; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010991:Plethysmography; D012701:Serotonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014680:Veins
D010880:Piperidines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D012701:Serotonin; D007650:Ketanserin