Bronchial Challenge with Serotonin in Asthmatics

Bronchial challenge with serotonin creatinine in phosphate buffer was performed in 20 stable asthmatics. In contrast to some earlier studies we observed no changes in FEV1 or FVC 0 and 2 min after provocation with increasing concentrations of serotonin (maximal concentration 20 mg/ml). In the first eight patients the PC20 histamine was 0.125-0.65 mg/ml, performed on a separate day. In three other asthmatics serotonin chloride 20 mg/ml did not affect lung function or produce any subjective symptoms. Serotonin can not be used to evaluate non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity in asthmatics.