Comparison of the hemodynamic responses to ketanserin and prazosin in portal hypertensive rats

✍ Scribed by Susan A. Cummings; Alberto J. Kaumann; Roberto J. Groszmann

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1988
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 529 KB
• Volume: 8
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0270-9139
• DOI: 10.1002/hep.1840080523

✦ Synopsis

Ketanserin, a serotonin antagonist, is effective in lowering portal pressure in a rat model of portal hypertension. As ketanserin has al-adrenoceptor-blocking properties in addition to its serotonin-blocking effects, we sought to define further the mechanism of ketanserin's portal pressure-lowering effect. We attempted to determine whether the portal pressure-reducing effect of ketanserin was due to the unspecific effect of arterial blood pressure reduction mediated by al-adrenoceptor blockade or to serotonin receptor-blocking properties of ketanserin. The hemodynamic action of prazosin and al- adrenoceptor antagonist and ketanserin were compared in portal hypertensive rats in which the arterial pressure was equally reduced by both agents. The portal pressure was significantly lower in the ketanserintreated group (11.3 2 0.4 mm Hg) when compared to the saline-treated group (13.6 f 0.7 mm Hg). The portal pressure was not significantly lower in the prazosintreated group when compared to the saline-treated group (12.3 = 0.5 vs. 13.6 f 0.7 mm Hg, respectively).