(CHy— CHy—NHy 40 \ u i Serotoni 9 N—CHy—CHy—N ° : I c ¥ qi ketanserin 0 Hy -N— iS a chy SN SS N | Hy Ondansetron Structures of serotonin and two 5-HT-receptor blockers. Affier synthesis, the fee amine is stored or is rapidly inactivated, usually by oxidation catalyzed by the enzyme monoamine oxidase. In the pineal gland, serotonin serves as a precursor of melatonin, a melanocyts-stmulating hormone, In mammals (including humans), over 90% of the serotonin in the bbody is found in enterochromatfin cells in the gastreintestinal tract. In the blood, serotonin is found in platelets, which are able to concentrate the amine by means of an active carrier mechanism similar to that in the vesicles of noradronorgic and sorotonergic norve endings. Serotonin is also found in the raphe nuclei of the brain stem, which contain cell bodies of serotonergic neurons that synthesize, stere, and release serotonin as a transmitter. Brain serotonergic neurons are involved in ‘various functions such as mood, sleep, appetite, temperature regulation, the perception of pain, the regulation of blood prossure, and vomiting (300 Chaster 21: Introduction to the Pharmacology of CNS Drugs). Serotonin also appears to be involved in conditions such as depression, anxiety, and migraine, Serotonergic neurons are also found in the enteric nervous system of the gastro;ntestinal ‘tract and around blood vessels. In rodents (but not in humans), serctonin is found in mast cells. ‘The function cf serotonin in enterochromaffin cells is not clear. These cells synthesize serotonin, store the amine ina complex with ATP and with other substances in granules, and can release serotonin in response to mechanical and neuronal stumuli. Some of the released serotonin diffuses into blood vessels and is taken up and stored in platelets. Stered serotonin can be depleted by reserpine in much the same manner as this drug depletes catecholamines from vesicles in adrenergic nerves (see Chapter 6: Introduction to Autoncmic Pharmacology}.