Reduced uptake of serotonin but unchanged 3H-imipramine binding in the platelets from cirrhotic patients

In the cirrhotic patients serotonin levels and 3 H-serotonin accumulation were significantly decreased as compared to the control group, and3 H-imipramine binding did not differ between the two groups.

Abstract

The uptake and retention of 3H-serotonin, the level of endogenous serotonin and the high-affinity binding of 3H-imipramine were measured in the platelets of 23 patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis and 29 control volunteers. In the cirrhotic patients serotonin levels and 3H-serotonin accumulation were significantly decreased as compared to the control group. 3H-imipramine binding did not differ between the two groups. These results are discussed in relation to the postulated association between the 3H-imipramine binding site and the uptake mechanism for serotonin.