Serotonin and Scleroderma (Fibrosis)

Platelet-derived serotonin links vascular
disease and tissue fibrosis 2011

Modulation of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by serotonin receptor antagonists in mice
A. Fabre 1 , 2 , J. Marchal-Sommé 1 , S. Marchand-Adam 1 , 3 , C. Quesnel 1 , R. Borie 1 , M. Dehoux 1 , 4 , C. Ruffié 1 , J. Callebert 5 , J-M. Launay 5 , D. Hénin 2 , P. Soler 1 and B. Crestani 1 , 3

"Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is known to increase proliferation and collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. Two receptor subtypes, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B, have been shown to play the most important roles in the lung. Serotonin antagonists promoted an antifibrotic environment by decreasing the lung mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-β1, connective growth factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA... Interestingly, the 5-HT2B receptor was strongly expressed by fibroblasts in the fibroblastic foci in human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis samples."

Treatment of Carcinoid Fibrosis

Positive data from Lexicon LX1032 Phase 2 study on carcinoid syndrome

Potaba ® Potassium P-Aminobenzoate, U.S.P.

Development of a Scleroderma-like Illness during Therapy with L-5-Hydroxytryptophan and Carbidopa

Our data and studies in the literature suggest that two factors may be important in the pathogenesis of some scleroderma-like illness: high plasma serotonin and the abnormality associated with elevated kynurenine. (N Engl J Med. 1980; 303:782–7.)


Depression, osteoporosis, serotonin and cell membrane viscosity between biology and philosophical anthropology


At the time it is shown that the viscosity of the platelet membrane is a general influencing factor for serotonin receptor uptake, a general principle governing the handling of serotonin itself is established with regard to its relations with the depressive disorder. It may also be involved, to a certain extent, in some pathologies that recognise serotonin changes; that is, scleroderma, inflammatory bowel disease, neuroinflammation, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis.

The high incidence of depression, in these pathological conditions, leads us to consider a general phenomenological rule rather than a specific error in gene expression or loss of enzyme function. The viscosity of the membrane appears to be a concept more plausible than the fact that it is a phenomenon to which changes may contribute more general factors compared to the exclusivity of a gene expression error and/or an abnormality of enzyme function. The serotonin receptors and their subtypes, together with the modification of gene expression of transporters, represent a very complex and intriguing network. We must understand if it is possible to find a general and common rule to explain all the different molecular aspects of the serotonin pathways, tissue connections and responsibilities in its involvement in pathologies.

Raynaud's Phenomenon and Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine

Plasma free and intraplatelet serotonin in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon

Management of Vasculopathy in Connective Tissue Disease

Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2007;(178):347-63.
A novel conditional knockout strategy applied to serotonin receptors.

The Serotonin Signaling System: From Basic Understanding To Drug Development for Functional GI Disorders
Michael D. Gershon⁎, , , Jan Tack‡
Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York

Doxycycline and Serotonin

Serotonin 5HT-1A receptor density in the brain of the spontaneously hypertensive rats
After doxycycline treatment, serotonin 5HT-1A extracellular domain receptor density was significantly increased in the treated SHRs (p<0.05). These results suggest that doxycycline can increase extracellular domain receptor density.

Preparing for A Journey

Tomorrow my husband and I will leave our three small children behind with their grandmother and a trusted babysitter, and head north to see an esophageal specialist. In the course of a week I will have three procedures - an esophogram (probably to confirm results of the last one), a TNE and a manometry. The results will be important, not only for my swallowing function but also in terms of at last getting us to a diagnosis. Or at least a lot closer to one.

While we are at the medical center, we will visit in person with a wonderful woman from the Road Back Foundation who called me at home during the very lowest moment I have had since this all started. She called to give me hope, tell me a story of healing, and let me know that I will make it through this. She also gave me the contact information for the doctor who may well save my life with the AP treatment.

I am still in wonder that this situation which is unexpected and a bit grim has already brought so many blessings into my life in the form of amazing advice and support from those who have previously traveled the path I am on. Three weeks ago I had no idea any of this was happening, and now I will meet in person a woman who may have preserved my health and our family in one telephone call. I can't wait to give her a hug.

There is another avenue we will have to look into, if the rheumatological path turns out to be a false lead. My naturopath advised me yesterday that I should also check into parasympathetic nerve disorders, as the autonomic nervous system controls smooth muscle response and the part of my esophagus that has stopped working is smooth muscle. He thinks it could possibly be related to that awful flu shot I had last October... the tingling, twitching, nausea and headaches I have experienced since that time. I guess it could be a postviral (post-vaccine) response. I have no idea how one could navigate successfully through that... but none of the supplements I am taking right now will hurt me in any way, so hopefully they are helping.

I wish I understood why I wake every morning so scared, even though I go to sleep peacefully at night and sleep well. I read last night about Sheldrake's morphic fields and the theory that our brains are like radios positioned to interpret the fields transmitting energy all around us. If my brain/radio has stopped functioning well, surely it must be possible to re-energize it so that it can take in the information about how to send the right signals to my esophagus again.

Maybe that ties into the success they have had with electro-stimulation (both through acupuncture and TENs therapy) to get the lower esophagus motility functioning again - or greatly improved. Maybe the electro-stim helps get the brain/radio back tuned into the right frequency.

I have so much hope and so much confidence that things are going to be okay. Whatever that means. I don't know what I believe about reincarnation, but I am working on finding peace in needing to let go of whatever I ultimately need to let go of -- eating solid food, other physical functions, even being physically present in my body to be near my family. I believe that love lasts beyond death so I am not worried about needing to let go of the profound love I feel for my family. That part will remain no matter what :-)

I guess the journey will get both harder and easier this week. Harder due to the separation from my children, and because we are going to get some concrete information about what is not working in my body. Easier because once we know what we are dealing with, we will be closer to starting a proactive plan for treatment. My lyme results should come back from IgeneX this week as well.

The important thing is, I am alive today and actually feeling pretty darn good. Ready to blend my breakfast. Grateful and appreciative for this moment, and for all of the love and support that surround me.

May this day bring healing to you as well. May all of our journeys be long and graceful.

It takes a village to heal a girl...

So many people have come to my assistance in such a short time, it fills my heart. From the RoadBack Foundation bulletin board I have received letters and messages from at least six women who have been in my exact situation and recovered at least partially, and all of them are so encouraging.

My naturopath has risen to the fore and he was the first person to think to check my mycoplasma levels.

The wonderful woman at Scripps connected me to her equally caring esophageal doctor specialist in Davis, CA... both of them have done everything in their power to get me the best treatment as quickly as possible.

My family has called and written from all over the world to offer support.

My husband has been trying hard to get his head around what is happening and he made me a very thoughtful blended dinner last night, and spent a long time researching rheumatic disease.

My younger son tells me about every five minutes, "Mommy, I love you."

And I have begun a new regimen of Vitamin D3, fish oils, Moducare, aloe vera juice and hopefully a lot less stress. Going to get tested for Lyme Disease exposure, and really looking forward to finally getting on the antibiotic protocol once I have been properly assessed - hopefully no later than September.

I am trying to breathe. I don't understand why I wake full of fear each morning, even though I go to sleep so peacefully. I think it must be a biochemical response to what is happening in my body.

Need to get off the computer now and give my kids 100% attention - going to make the best of every second we have together.

Thank you for reading and much love.