J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1986 Sep;15(3):461-472.

Studies on Experimental Vasospasm: Effect of Calcium Antagonist and Prostacyclin on Serotonin Induced Contraction of Carotid Artery in the Cat

• Lee KC

Abstract

One of the most severe complication of the rupture of aneurysms is the resultant spasm of cerebral arteries leading to ischemia, edema, and infarction of large area of the brain. In spite of numerous clinical or experimental studies, our knowledge of the origin and control of the spasm is amazingly limited. This study was undertaken to understand the pathophysiology of the cerebral vasospasm and to design on effective mode of treatment for it. In vitro, arterial constrictions were induced by applying serotonin in cat's internal carotid artery. And inhibitors such as calcium antagonist(nifedipine) and prostacyclin were added to reverse the contraction of arteries. Sustainable contraction of carotid arteries developed shortly after the addition of serotonin and reached to maximal level at 4 to 5 minutes. Contraction was always produced by serotonin at 10(-8) to 10(-5)M however differed depending upon the doses. Nifedipine and prostacyclin at concentrations of 10(-8) to 10(-6)M relaxed the arteries which already exposed to serotonin 10(-6)M and maximally contracted. These relaxation ocurred slowly and more severly in high concentration however the relaxation response to nifedipine was considerable greater than to prostacyclin. The result support the serotonin may play a significant role in the production of post subarachnoid hemorrhage vasospasm and nifedifine & prostacyclin are meainingful for the treatment of vasospasm.

Keyword

Vasospasm; Serotonin; Calcium antagonist; Prostacyclin; Subarachnoid hemorrhage

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Animals
Arteries
Brain
Calcium*
Carotid Arteries*
Carotid Artery, Internal
Cats*
Cerebral Arteries
Constriction
Edema
Epoprostenol*
Infarction
Ischemia
Nifedipine
Relaxation
Rupture
Serotonin*
Spasm
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Vasospasm, Intracranial
Calcium
Epoprostenol
Nifedipine
Serotonin