Human Platelet Aggregation Without Thromboxane (Tx) Formation

Abstract

It is not known whether PG endoperoxides have to be converted to TxA2 in order to induce aggregation and secretion We have examined this crucial question by measuring human platelet aggregation, 14C-5HT release and TxB2 formation induced by collagen, arachidonic acid (AA), adrenaline, U46619 and PGH2 in presence of either 1) 1-2-(4-carboxy-phenoxy) ethyl imidazole hydrochloride, a potent and selective thromboxane synthesis inhibitor (TSI) or a carbocyclic thromboxane A2 (CTA) - a so called thromboxane receptor antagonist. TSI, 1.5 to 75μM produced a dose related inhibition (IC50 5μM n=5) of Tx and elevation of PGE2 synthesis in adrenaline (8μM) and collagen (1.5μg/ml) stimulated platelets. When 14C-SHT labelled platelets were stimulated with 4.5μM adrenaline in the presence of 0, 2.5, 15 and 300μM TSI a 35±2.8, 27±0.5, 24.5±5.0% release of 14C-5HT release resulted and a 10014, 9612, 9711 and 9114% of control aggregation occurred. Similarly when human platelets were stimulated with 0.8mMAA a 51±1.4% (mean ±SE) release of 14C-5HT occurred, while in the presence of 15, 75 and 300μM of UK, a 42±0.4, 32±1, 33±3% of 14C-5HT release resulted. Aggregation induced by the PG endoperoxide analogue U46619 (lμM) was not inhibited by 300μM TSI or l00μM indomethacin, although 99.5% inhibition of Tx formation resulted, and 50 to 60% inhibition of 14C-5HT release was produced both by TSI and indomethacin. However CTA (l-3±M) produced a dose related inhibition of both aggregation and release induced by U46619. CTA (l-10μM) was found to produce superimposable dose related inhibition of collagen induced aggregation and secretion of platelets, whether the platelets were pretreated with 300μM TSI, or not.These results suggest that Tx formation is not necessary for human platelet aggregation, although is contributory to 14C-5HT release induced by collagen, adrenaline, AA and U46619.Also caution must be employed when CTA is used to elucidate the role of TxA2, as it appears to be an effective PG endoperoxide antagonist.