Role of platelets in vasogenic brain edema. II. Contribution of platelet serotonin in brain edema.

In this study of the function of platelets after CNS injury, platelets were treated with serotonin labeled with radioactive carbon (14C) in animals subjected to a freezing lesion of the cerebrum. The distribution of platelet serotonin was measured by counting the specific activity of 14C-labeled serotonin in tissue and by autoradiography. Some of the animals were treated with RA-233, which inhibits the formation of platelet plugs after endothelial damage and the release of serotonin from platelets. Platelet serotonin accumulated near the surface of the cortex at the site of injury in all animals. More cerebral edema developed in animals treated with the platelet inhibitor than in untreated animals, probably because platelet aggregates were inhibited from forming and were not available to plug leaks in the traumatized vessels. Serotonin did not appear to facilitate the spread of edema.