Effect of intravenous ketanserin on plasma catecholamines and renin activity in normal volunteers

In a placebo controlled, single blind, randomized cross over study catecholamines (CA) and renin activity (PRA) in plasma were measured in 2 female and 4 male healthy volunteers, at rest in the supine position, following a single intravenous injection of 0.15 mg/kg ketanserin (K) and placebo (P, 10 ml saline). K caused a significant increase in the area under the plasma norepinephrine (NE) time curve (AUCNE) from 13,200 to 18,100 ng X 1(-1) X min for 1 hour after the injection. The area under the plasma epinephrine (E) time curve (AUCE) was also increased but to a lesser extent; it was significantly elevated from 54 to 68 ng X 1(-1) X min for 1 minute after the injection. Dopamine (DA) and PRA did not show any significant response to ketanserin. Following the P injection, none of the four parameters showed any significant change.