SHAPE CHANGE OF BLOOD PLATELETS—A MODEL FOR CEREBRAL 5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE RECEPTORS?
British Journal of Pharmacology April 1, 1979 Martin Graf, A. Pletscher 45 citations
In rabbit blood platelets, tryptamine, serotonin (5-HT), and related compounds like quipazine and mescaline caused a shape change, which was blocked by low concentrations of methysergide. The most potent blockers of the serotonin-induced shape change were ergoline derivatives and neuroleptic drugs, showing high stereoselectivity. LSD, psilocine, and some dimethylated tryptamines acted as mixed agonist-antagonists. Compounds that were agonists or mixed agonist-antagonists on platelets also act as serotonin agonists in the central nervous system. However, platelet serotonin receptors responded differently to antagonists than those in brain areas with dense serotonin innervation, but similarly to receptors in spinal cord, cerebral cortex, and reticular formation. Platelets may serve as cautious models for some, but not all, central serotonin receptors.