Functional evaluation of the 5-HT2B receptor mediated effect of aripiprazole on the isolated rat stomach fundus

Objectives: The novel antipsychotic aripiprazole interacts with several serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtypes. Aripiprazole has partial agonist activity at 5-HT1A and is antagonist at 5-HT1B receptors. However, its effect at 5 HT2B receptors has not yet been characterized. Since the rat stomach fundus is uniquely rich in 5-HT2B receptors, it enables functional characterization of effects mediated by 5-HT2B receptors. Methods: Experiments were performed on male Wistar rats (250–350g; n=22). The stomach was removed and longitudinal strips (1.0–1.5×20mm) were dissected from the greater curvature of the fundus and susp…