Serotonin: a platelet hormone modulating cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases and depression are significant health burdens and increasing evidence suggests a causal relationship between them. The incidence of depression among patients suffering from cardiovascular disease is markedly elevated, and depression itself is an established cardiovascular risk factor. Serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamin (5-HT), a biogenic amine acting as a neurotransmitter and a peripheral hormone, is involved in the pathogenesis of both, cardiovascular disease and depression. Novel cardiovascular functions of 5-HT have recently been described and will be summarized in this review. 5-HT has a broad spectrum of functions in the cardiovascular system, yet the clinical or experimental data are partly conflicting. There is further research needed to characterize the clinical effects of 5-HT in particular tissues to enable targeted pharmacological therapies.

Automated summary

Cardiovascular diseases and depression are significant health burdens, with increasing evidence showing a causal relationship between them. Serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamin (5-HT) plays a role in the pathogenesis of both conditions as a neurotransmitter and peripheral hormone. Further research is needed to understand the clinical effects of 5-HT in specific tissues for targeted pharmacological therapies.