Absence of effects of ketanserin on renal prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 in essential hypertension

• Published in: European heart journal Vol. 12; no. 4; p. 550
• Main Authors: Gambini, G, Rossi, S, Valori, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.04.1991
• Subjects: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha - urine; Adult; Aged; Epoprostenol - biosynthesis; Female; Humans; Hypertension - drug therapy; Hypertension - metabolism; Hypertension - physiopathology; Ketanserin - pharmacology; Kidney - drug effects; Kidney - metabolism; Male; Middle Aged; Renin-Angiotensin System - drug effects; Thromboxane A2 - biosynthesis; Thromboxane B2 - urine
• ISSN: 0195-668X
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.eurheartj.a059937

The anti-hypertensive effect of ketanserin, a new antagonist of 5-HT2-serotonergic receptors, was evaluated in 10 patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension. At the end of 2 weeks of placebo wash-out and following 2 and 4 weeks of treatment with ketanserin (20 mg twice daily), blood pressure and heart rate were measured both in the supine and standing position. In addition, before and at the end of treatment, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma concentration of aldosterone and the nocturnal urinary excretion of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2, the two metabolites that largely reflect the renal synthesis of prostacyclin and thromboxane, respectively, were determined. The study was carried out in a metabolic ward where the intake of sodium was adjusted to 100-120 mmol day-1. Ketanserin significantly reduced blood pressure both in the supine and standing position with no significant change of heart rate. The treatment did not produce any variation of PRA, aldosterone, urinary excretion of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha or TXB2. These results indicate that ketanserin reduces blood pressure without interfering with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system or the renal synthesis of prostacyclin and thromboxane.