Serotonin and superior mesenteric artery resistance index.
OBJECTIVE
Serotonin is a vasoactive neuroendocrine substance and serotonergic drugs are promising agents for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. The effect of serotonin on superior mesenteric blood flow in humans is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of exogenous serotonin on superior mesenteric artery blood flow, as estimated by the resistance index with Doppler ultrasound, in healthy human volunteers.


METHODS
Six fasting healthy adult volunteers of both genders were studied. Transabdominal Doppler ultrasound was used to evaluate the effects of either a standard meal or intravenous infusion of serotonin (2.5-20 nmol kg-1 min-1) on the superior mesenteric artery resistance index, platelet-depleted plasma levels of serotonin, blood pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram.


RESULTS
All subjects had the same patterns of response to meal and serotonin stimulation. Meal stimulation decreased the mean resistance index from 0.84+/-0.04 to 0.72+/-0.02 (p = 0.0004) and increased platelet-depleted-plasma levels of serotonin from 50+/-36 to 61+/-46 nmol L-1 (p = 0.04). Serotonin stimulation increased the mean resistance index from 0.82+/-0.04 to 0.88+/-0.03 (p = 0.006) and mean platelet-depleted-plasma levels of serotonin from 44+/-24 to 83+/-37 nmol L-1 (p = 0.03). Most subjects reported minor short-lived adverse effects. Electrocardiogram results were unchanged during all examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that intravenous infusion of serotonin increases the resistance index of the superior mesenteric artery (increases downstream resistance) in healthy adult volunteers.
Hansen
M B
MB
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Glostrup University Hospital of Copenhagen, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark. mbh@dadlnet.dk
Arif
F
F
Wallin
L
L
Pedersen
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012701:Serotonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012701:Serotonin