Serotonin-induced hypercontraction through 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B receptors in atherosclerotic rabbit coronary arteries.
BACKGROUND
Augmented vasoconstriction to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) in atherosclerotic vessels plays a crucial role in the development of myocardial ischemia. We investigated mechanisms for serotonin-evoked hypercontraction in atherosclerotic rabbit coronary arteries.


RESULTS
Contractile responses to serotonergic agents of endothelium-denuded coronary arteries from control and Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits (WHHL) were examined. WHHL coronary arteries exhibited hypercontraction to 5-HT(1)-receptor agonists; the constrictor threshold concentrations and E:D(50) to serotonin, 5-carboxamidotryptamine, and sumatriptan in WHHL were significantly lower, and the E:(max) in WHHL to these agents were increased 55% to 59% above those of the control. Serotonin-evoked contractions in both groups were inhibited by GR127935 (5-HT(1B/1D) antagonist; 0.1 to 1 nmol/L) and pertussis toxin but not by ketanserin (5-HT(2) antagonist; 0.01 to 1 micromol/L), suggesting that the hypercontraction is most likely mediated by 5-HT(1B/1D) receptors through a pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway. Furthermore, simultaneous measurements of [Ca(2+)](i) and isometric tension of fura-2-loaded arteries revealed that the hypercontraction was concomitant with the augmented elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) in the smooth muscle. The 5-HT(1B) mRNA levels in WHHL coronary arteries increased to 2.5-fold over those in control arteries, whereas neither 5-HT(1D) nor 5-HT(2A) mRNA was detected in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
Atherosclerotic rabbit coronary arteries exhibited the enhancement in contraction and Ca(2+) mobilization in response to serotonin. The 5-HT(1B) receptor, which is upregulated by atherosclerosis, most likely mediates the augmenting effects of serotonin.
Ishida
T
T
First Department of Internal Medicine and Institute for Experimental Animals, Kobe (Japan) University School of Medicine.
Kawashima
S
S
Hirata Ki
Sakoda
T
T
Shimokawa
Y
Y
Miwa
Y
Y
Inoue
N
N
Ueyama
T
T
Shiomi
M
M
Akita
H
H
Yokoyama
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010069:Oxadiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000494:pharmacology; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
D010069:Oxadiazoles; D010879:Piperazines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D010656:Phenylephrine; C090701:GR 127935; D012701:Serotonin; D018170:Sumatriptan; C047087:5-carboxamidotryptamine; D007650:Ketanserin; D002118:Calcium