SELECTIVE ANTAGONISM OF S2-SEROTONERGIC RECEPTORS RELIEVES BUT DOES NOT PREVENT COLD INDUCED VASOCONSTRICTION IN PRIMARY RAYNAUDS-PHENOMENON

  • 1 April 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (2) , 337-340
Abstract
In a double blind placebo crossover study, intravenous ketanserin, an antagonist of S2-serotonergic receptors, did not improve plethysmographically monitored digital blood flow during controlled cold challenge in 4 women with carefully defined primary Raynaud''s phenomenon. However, ketanserin, if administered at the time of cold induced vasoconstriction, caused prompt vasodilation. These results suggest that serotonin is a contributory element in the maintenance of cold induced vasospasm but that other factors, presumedly adrenergic, initiate the vasoconstrictive response.