Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy induces changes in the tryptophan-5-hydroxylase, serotonin transporter and serotonergic receptors expressions.

Introduction: Cardiomyocytes have a biochemical machinery with the capacity to synthesize, utilize and reuptake serotonin.

Objective: To determine whether hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) induces changes in the expression of tryptophan-5-hydroxylase (TPH) 1 and 2, serotonin transporter (SERT) and serotonergic receptors (SR).

Methods: Cross-sectional study of five tissue blocks from hearts with HCM and five controls.

Triptófano-5-hidroxilasa, transportador de serotonina y receptores serotoninérgicos en miocardiopatía dilatada.

Background: Cardiomyocytes synthesize, utilize and reuptake serotonin, which is involved in the paracrine and autocrine modulation of heart activity and in the pathophysiology of some cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To determine the expression of tryptophan-5-hydroxylase (TPH) 1 and 2, serotonin transporter protein (SERT) and serotonergic receptors in hearts with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) compared to controls.

Method: A comparative study was performed in six tissue blocks of the left ventricular free wall (LVWL) and inter-ventricular septum from patients who died of DCM and six who died of no cardiovascular diseases (controls).