PLATELET SEROTONINERGIC SYSTEM IN PATIENT S WITH ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

To investigate if there can be alterations in the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake system in the sensitivity of platelets in patients with essential hypertension, 38 hypertensive patients and 37 normotensive h ealthy subjects were compared in patients, the maximal 5-HT uptake vel ocity was reduced. The density of binding sites for H-3-imipramine was elevated in hypertensive females, but unchanged in males. The sensiti vity of 5-HT uptake to trazodone was unchanged in patients. Half-maxim al concentrations of 5-HT for inducing a shape change reaction of plat elets were positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure in male patients and were reduced in female mild hypertensives. It is suggest ed that these changes are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension.