Cardiovascular effects of intrathecal administration of substance P in the rat: interactions with serotonergic mechanisms.

Intrathecal (i.th.) administration of substance P (SP, 6.5 nmol) at the Th 8-10 level in conscious rats increased blood pressure (carotid artery), heart rate and plasma catecholamine concentrations. The responses were antagonized by the intravenous (i.v.) but not i.th. pretreatment with the 5-HT2-receptor antagonists ketanserin and ritanserin and intrathecally administered serotonin (5-HT, 10 micrograms). The pressor response and the increase in plasma noradrenaline concentrations were also antagonized by i.v. or i.th. pretreatment with the 5-HT1A-agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). In contrast the pressor response to SP was facilitated by the 5-HT1A-antagonist 1-pindolol (i.v. or i.th). Pretreatment with SP (i.th) reduced the hypotensive response to i.v. 8-OH-DPAT. These results demonstrate functional interactions between SP and serotonergic mechanisms in the central system, but the precise location and nature were not elucidated.