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Responses to serotonin (5HT) in isolated corpus cavernosum penis of rabbit

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5HT) receptor subtypes participating in 5HT-induced response in the isolated corpus cavernosum penis (CCP) of rabbits. 5HT contracted the CCP in a concentration-dependent manner. Both WAY100635 (5HT1A antagonist) and LY53857 (5HT2 antagonist) concentration-dependently suppressed the 5HT-induced contraction. The suppression of the 5HT-induced contraction by ketanserin (5HT2A antagonist) was weaker than that by LY53857. LY278584 (5HT3 antagonist) did not affect the 5HT-induced contraction. SDZ205557 (5HT4 antagonist) showed a tendency to potentiate the 5HT-induced contraction. The above results suggest that 5HT1A and 5HT2 receptor subtypes partially participate in the contractile response to 5HT in rabbit CCP, and the potentiation by SDZ205557 of the 5HT-induced contraction implies the existence of dual contractile and relaxing responses to 5HT via 5HT1 and 5HT2, and 5HT4 receptors, respectively. The relaxing response to 5HT4 receptor stimulation may be masked by 5HT-induced contraction.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the Project Research Grant (No. 11-36) of Faculty of Medicine, Toho University.

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Correspondence to K Furukawa.

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Furukawa, K., Nagao, K., Ishii, N. et al. Responses to serotonin (5HT) in isolated corpus cavernosum penis of rabbit. Int J Impot Res 15, 267–271 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901004

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