The role of serotonin (5-HT) in initial microvascular hemostasis is not fully understood.
This study was made to evaluate the effect on hemostatic plug formation and laser-induced
arteriolar microembolism of different substances which counteract the effect of 5-HT.
Hemostatic plug formation time and stability was measured in the rabbit mesenteric
microcirculation and laserinduced embolism in the rabbit ear chamber. Ketanserine,
a selective 5-HT2-receptor blocker shortened arteriolar hemostatic plug formation time. Dihydroergotamine,
an unselective blocker (with 5-HT- and α-adrenergic receptor affinity) increased venular
hemostatic plug formation time and also decreased the hemostatic plug stability. Laser-induced
platelet embolism was unaltered after both ketanserine and dihydroergotamine administration.
The magnitude of these changes seems to exclude an important effect of 5-HT in initial
microvessel hemostasis or on platelet activity.
Keywords
Rabbits - Hemostatic plug - Platelet - Ketanserine - Dihydro - ergotamine