Uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine by platelets.

Human blood platelets were incubated with 5-hydroxytryptamine and with tryptamine and the uptake of each amine measured. The uptake of tryptamine, unlike that of 5-hydroxytryptamine, was linearly related to the concentration of the amine in the surrounding fluid, was similar in amount at 0 degrees and 37 degrees C and varied directly with the pH of the solution. When both amines were present together the uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine was depressed. The antagonism of tryptamine was found to be competitive, and the possible site of its action is discussed. The effect of a number of other substances on the uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine by platelets was examined; of these imipramine, cocaine and chlorpromazine were more potent and dihydroergotamine and lysergic acid diethylamide somewhat less potent than tryptamine in inhibiting uptake.