Serotonin and superior mesenteric artery resistance index

Abstract

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. Material and 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.

• Blood flow
• Doppler ultrasound
• 5‐hydroxytryptamine
• human
• physiology
• resistance index
• serotonin
• superior mesenteric artery

Acknowledgements

We thank Hanna Bruusgaard and Lene Appelt for their help with examinations and enzyme immunoassays. We also thank Dr. Sofus Carl Emil Friis and the Olga Friis Foundation, the Else and Mogens Wedell‐Wedellborg Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, Snedkermester Sophus Jacobsen and the Astrid Jacobsen Foundation, the Gangsted Foundation and The Danish Hospital Foundation for Medical Research, Region of Copenhagen, The Faeroe Islands and Greenland for financial support.