[Changes in serotoninergic mechanisms in essential hypertension].

Several data suggest the possible involvement of serotonin (5HT) and of the serotoninergic (5HTergic) system in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. Our study aim was thus to measure a peripheral 5HTergic marker, such as platelet 5HT uptake, in 8 hypertensive patients, as compared with healthy controls. All subjects included underwent evaluation of the pain threshold, in view of the possible relationship between mechanisms involved in pain modulation and those regulating blood pressure. The results showed a decrease of the maximal velocity (Vmax) of platelet 5HT uptake in the patients, who also exhibited an increase in the pain threshold. These data, although preliminary, are suggestive with regard to an increased concentration of extraplatelet 5HT, which might play a role in both hypertension and the change in pain threshold.