In article <GXBExGANwoNzEwdt at personcentred.demon.co.uk>, NewsCaster
<PsyNewsReplies at personcentred.demon.co.uk> writes:
>Can anyone tell me the role played by 5HT in the imflamation responce or
>point me in the direction of a HTTP or FTP sources of such information
>or alternitively a UK book or article.
Hi Peter.
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine, is a compound derived from the amino acid
tryptophan, that affects the diameter and permeability of blood vessels, causes
smooth muscle contraction (in some species) and also functions as a
neurotransmitter. In the brain it is thought to influence mood: drugs, such as
LSD, that alter serotonin levels have hallucinogenic effects.
Seotonin occurs in a preformed state in the granules of murine mast cells,
human blood platelets and enterochromaffin cells. It has a pharmacologic role
in anaphylaxis* in mice, rats and rabbits, but apparently not in humans.
Serotonin is, similar to histamine, released from mast cells as a result of an
antigen-antibody reaction.
*Anaphylaxis is an abnormal immune response (~allergy).
Frans J. van Overveld, Ph.D.
Dept. Respiratory Medicine
Univ. of Antwerp, Belgium
http://alt-www.uia.ac.be/u/overveld/index.html
