Serotonin Metabolism in the Arthus Reaction

Abstract

To better characterize the role of serotonin in the Arthus reaction, we examined the concentration of the amine and the activities of serotonin-metabolizing enzymes, monoamine oxidase (MAO) and serotonin-N-acetyltransferase (NAT), in reaction sites induced in guinea pig skin. The specific activity of total MAO in the intact skin was 108.0 +/- 15.9 pmol/min/mg protein, and consisted of about 92% of type A activity and 8% of type B. The activity of total MAO was about 10 times greater than that of NAT. Total MAO activity increased to 130%-150% of control levels at 2 h after initiation of the reaction and approximated the control level at 3 to 6 h. Subsequently, the activity decreased linearly to 50% at 12 h and to 20% at 24 h. Although the time-dependent changes of MAO type A activity were similar to those of total MAO activity, MAO type B activity increased to 42% at 30 min, remained at 30%-40% until 6 h, and then decreased to 20% at 12 h and to 5% at 24 h. NAT activity in the reaction sites decreased with time to 50% of the control at 30 min and to 35% at 4 h and was stationary until 24 h. The serotonin concentration decreased linearly with time to 16% of the control level at 1 h, increased sharply to 240% at 6 h, and remained at more than 200% until 24 h. This biphasic change in serotonin concentration seems to be related to the dynamic changes in the activities of serotonin-degrading enzymes. In addition, the accumulation of platelets in the reaction sites may increase serotonin concentration and MAO activity subsequent to 1 h after the initiation.