Studies on the mechanism of action of the hypotensive effect of ketanserin.

Ketanserin, 0.01-3.0 mg/kg i.v., was found to cause a dose-related fall in blood pressure in anaesthetized rats. However, these decreases were only significant after 1 and 3 mg/kg doses. Subsequent administration of prazosin, 0.2 mg/kg i.v., had no significant effect on blood pressure. In the presence of ketanserin 3 mg/kg, plus prazosin 0.2 mg/kg, adenosine caused a significant dose-dependent fall in blood pressure in anaesthetized rats. Methysergide, 1 mg/kg i.v., significantly attenuated the blood pressure responses to serotonin in anaesthetized rats whereas ketanserin (1 and 3 mg/kg) had no overall effect on serotonin responses. Ketanserin, 1 and 3 mg/kg i.v., was found to antagonize the pressor effects of phenylephrine and reverse the pressor effects of adrenaline in anaesthetized rats. Responses to angiotensin II were not significantly affected by ketanserin. These results suggest that ketanserin lowers blood pressure in anaesthetized rats by blockade of alpha-adrenoceptors.