Inhibition of 5-Hydroxytryptamine Liberation from Blood Platelets by Reserpine

The effect of reserpine on the metabolism of 5HT of isolated platelets in the absence and presence of glucose is investigated to investigate the mechanism behind the release of monoamines from various tissues including isolated blood platelets.

Abstract

RESERPINE causes a release of monoamines from various tissues including isolated blood platelets1,2. This effect is generally attributed to an interference of the drug with the storage mechanisms for the amines. Furthermore, some authors report a protective action of reserpine against the spontaneous liberation of norepinephrine from, adrenal medullary and splenic nerve granules3–5. The mechanism is not fully understood. It might be partly connected with the lack of glucose in the incubation medium, because this source of energy seems to be necessary for retaining the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) within the platelets6, We have investigated the effect of reserpine on the metabolism of 5HT of isolated platelets in the absence and presence of glucose.