Abstract
Ritanserin, a new serotonin antagonist selective upon S2 receptor subclass is available. Thus, in order to better define the positive control of serotoninergic pathway on proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-related peptide release, a group of 7 healthy male volunteers has been submitted to a 5-hydroxytryptophane (5-OH-TP) test (200 mg p.o.) before and after 4days Ritanserin pretreatment. Plasma β-endorphin (β-EP), p-lipotropin (β-LPH) and cortisol levels were measured hourly for 4 h after each 5-OH-TP loading. Hormonal levels were measured by specific RIAs on extracted (cortisol) and chromatographed (β-EP and β-LPH) plasma samples. Basal plasma concentrations of the three hormones were unchanged by Ritanserin pretreatment. Similarly, the integrated areas of β-LPH, β-EP and cortisol release in response to 5-OH-TP remained unaffected by the receptor blockade. These data confirm that serotonin-acting drugs are able to stimulate POMC-related peptide release and indicatethat such interaction is not mediated through S2 receptor subclass.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 42-46 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Hormone Research in Paediatrics |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1987 |
Keywords
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan
- Cortisol
- Ritanserin
- Serotonin receptors
- β-Endorphin
- β-Lipotropin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrinology
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health