Cyclosporine A affects serotonergic mechanisms in uremic rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of cyclosporine-induced hypertension in respect to its action on blood serotonergic system. The experiment was carried out on healthy rats and animals with experimental chronic renal failure. Cyclosporine A (CsA) injected into the healthy and uremic rats caused an increase in systolic blood pressure. This effect was completely abolished by ketanserin, an antagonist of 5-HT2 receptors. Concomitantly a rise in blood and platelet serotonin concentration was observed. It is concluded that serotonin may play a role in the development of hypertension caused by CsA. Moreover, ketanserin may serve as a drug for pharmacological protection of CsA-induced rise of blood pressure in uremia.