INHIBITION OF SEROTONIN UPTAKE INTO SPLEEN BY A BETA-ADRENOCEPTOR AGONIST: SALBUTAMOL

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the inhibition of serotonin uptake into spleen by salbutamol (SB), a beta-adrenoceptor agonist. SB and isoprenaline (IP) are potent bronchodilators acting by beta-adrenoceptor agonism. Previous reports suggested a relationship between alpha receptor blockade and noradrenaline (NA) uptake inhibition. The chapter describes a study in which the effects of two beta adrenoceptor agonists SB and IP were determined on the in vivo uptake of 3 H-NA into mouse heart and 3 H-serotonin ( 3 H-5HT) into mouse spleen. SB produced a dose-related inhibition of the uptake of 3 H-5HT into spleen. This effect was not antagonized by beta adrenoceptor antagonists (Butoxamine, tobanum). On the other hand, SB did not act on the uptake of 3 H-NA into heart. Neither 3 H-NA nor 3 H-5HT uptake were altered by IP. These findings indicate that SB has an inhibitory property on 5HT uptake, independent of its beta adrenoceptor stimulatory effect.