Inhibition of platelet aggregation by human placenta

Human placental cytosol inhibits platelet aggregation induced by high doses of collagen. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this anti-aggregating activity was caused only by the presence of various activities already described in the placenta (an ADP-consuming enzyme, a fatty acid cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor) or whether another factor was present. Heating the cytosol at 50 degrees C for 6 min destroyed the inhibitor of collagen-induced aggregation. ADPase and the AA pathway inhibitors were not modified by this treatment. We therefore show the presence of an additional anti-aggregating factor: it is destroyed by heating at 50 degrees C. We also tested for the presence of an inhibitor of AA release in the placental cytosol using three different methods (rabbit platelets in PRP, washed rabbit platelets, and NRK fibroblasts) but no inhibition could be evidenced. We conclude that this new anti-aggregating factor, which is probably a protein, acts neither through AA release inhibition nor AA cascade inhibition.     

Inhibition of human platelet aggregation by gangliosides

The content and composition of gangliosides is modified upon platelet stimulation, suggesting that these lipids may play functional roles in platelet physiology. Therefore, the effect of exogenously added gangliosides on human platelet aggregation was evaluated. The pretreatment of platelets with a mixture of total gangliosides from bovine brain and a series of purified mono-, di- and tri-sialogangliosides partially inhibit the collagen-induced aggregation process and ATP release and completely block the generation of the second aggregation wave when ADP is used as agonist. The inhibition was exerted at around 100 microM by G(TOT) as well as purified G(M1), G(M3), G(D1a), and G(T1b) gangliosides, whereas asialoG(M1) and sulphatide did not show a significant influence on platelet aggregation. Thrombin, Ca(2+) ionophores (A23187 and Ionomycin), arachidonic acid, and U46619 were unable to bypass the inhibitory effect exerted by gangliosides, suggesting that gangliosides inhibit platelet aggregation by inhibiting the synthesis or action of prostaglandins. Gangliosides inhibited U46619-induced aggregation, thus suggesting that they block the action of thromboxane A(2). Epinephrine induces a partial aggregation on gangliosides-treated platelets, similar to fluoroaluminate and phorbol myristate acetate, indicating that these platelets are still functional. To summarize, these results indicate that the major pathway(s), but not all, driving to the aggregation process following the interaction of ligand-receptor may be blocked by pretreatment of human platelets with gangliosides.     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation by rat globin

This study was undertaken to identify and characterize the anti-aggregatory protein factor present in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) supernatant. Since the purified protein exhibited sequence homology to beta globin, globin was also isolated from rat blood by acid-acetone precipitation and was purified on Superdex-75 column in FPLC. Elution of rat globin on the gel filtration column yielded two peaks of approximately 60 and 30 kDa as observed in the PMNs supernatant. Purity of globin and eluted fractions was further evaluated by SDS-PAGE. Platelet aggregation induced by agonists viz. adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP; 2-5 microM), arachidonic acid (AA; 10 microM), A23187 (2.50 microg/ml) was inhibited by globin and the purified fractions. ADP-induced rise in intracellular calcium levels and expression of CD62 on the platelets were reduced by both globin and active fraction of PMNs supernatant. Results obtained suggest that globin or globin-related protein present in the PMNs supernatant inhibits platelet aggregation response.     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation by ketamine hydrochloride

Ketamine hydrochloride, 10 mg/kg by intramuscular injection, inhibited aggregation of platelets from three out of three baboons. Aggregation to ADP, arachidonic acid, epinephrine, and collagen was inhibited but aggregation to ristocetin was normal. Two baboons anaesthetised with the related drug phencyclidine, 1.0 mg/kg intramuscularly, had delayed aggregation. Ketamine inhibition of human platelets was irreversible in that aggregation could not be restored by either gel filtration of inhibited platelets and the re-addition of normal plasma, or by increasing the concentrations of agonists. Mixtures of human ketamine inhibited and aspirinised platelets failed to aggregated. Thromboxane B2 production was reduced to 3% of the amount produced by non inhibited platelets but the oxygen burst was not inhibited.     

Inhibition of spontaneous platelet aggregation by sulfinpyrazone

In a randomized double-blind crossover study in 16 patients with enhanced in vitro spontaneous platelet aggregation, sulfinpyrazone proved to be effective in normalizing platelet aggregability within 4 days after initiation of therapy.     

Inhibition of human platelet aggregation by phospholipase-A

Phospholipase-A (Phl-A) at concentrations 5–50 mU/ml can inhibit human platelet aggregation induced by collagen, ADP, epinephrine or thrombin. No significant changes in Phl-A inhibitory activity were detected after heating the enzyme at 100°C for 10 min. SPU (a polyurethane saline extract) which is known to induce platelet aggregation in the presence of arachidonic acid or Phl-A could reverse the effect of Phl-A. Although no attempt was made to clarify the observed inhibitory activity of Phl-A this could be possibly attributed to lysolecithin, which has been shown by others that can be released by Phl-A. This assumption, however, does not exclude other mechanisms including a non-specific damage to the platelet membrane.     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation by medium-chain fatty acids

Saturated medium-chain fatty acids with chain length of between C₆–C₁₀ were shown to inhibit adenosine diphosphate-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets $\text{in vitro}$. Caprinic acid had a dual effect in that it totally inhibited aggregation at a concentration of 5.8 mM, but addition of caprinic acid to a final concentration of 14 mM caused spontaneous aggregation. Caprylic acid was also shown to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by collagen and thrombin. To our knowledge, inhibition of platelet aggregation by saturated fatty acids has not been reported earlier.     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation by some flavonoids.

The inhibitory effects of five flavonoids on the aggregation and secretion of platelets were studied. These flavonoids inhibited markedly platelet aggregation and ATP release of rabbit platelets induced by arachidonic acid or collagen, and slightly those by platelet-activating factor. ADP-induced platelet aggregation was also suppressed by myricetin, fisetin and quercetin. The IC50 on arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation was: fisetin, 22 microM; kaempferol, 20 microM; quercetin, 13 microM; morin, 150 microM less than IC50 less than 300 microM. The thromboxane B2 formations were also inhibited by flavonoids in platelets challenged with arachidonic acid. Fisetin, kaempferol, morin and quercetin antagonized the aggregation of washed platelets induced by U46619, a thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxides mimetic receptor agonist. In human platelet-rich plasma, quercetin prevented the secondary aggregation and blocked ATP release from platelets induced by epinephrine or ADP. These results demonstrate that the major antiplatelet effect of flavonoids tested may be due to both the inhibition of thromboxane formation and thromboxane receptor antagonism.     

Inhibition of human platelet aggregation by vitamin K

The effect of several vitamin K (Vit K) analogues on the aggregation of human platelets was examined. The analogues were potent inhibitors of aggregation induced by ADP, thrombin, collagen and arachidonate but were less active against aggregation induced by the calcium ionophore A23187. Vit K3 also prevented platelet membrane phosphatide breakdown induced by collagen. These effects were not due to a direct inhibition of enzymes involved in the liberation of arachidonate or its subsequent transformation. The analogues exerted no effects on enzymes regulating intraplatelet cAMP. However, these effects could be overcome by increasing extracellular Ca++ levels, indicating a possible interaction with Ca++ regulation in platelets.     

Inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation by myristic acid

Myristate inhibited thrombin-induced aggregation and production of diacylglycerols of rabbit platelets suspended in a modified Tyrode solution. The incorporation of inositol into platelet phospholipids in both steady and activated states was also inhibited by myristate. When platelets were incubated with 32P-inorganic phosphate in the presence of myristate, incorporation of the radioactivity into platelet phosphatidylinositols (PI) was distinctly inhibited, although that into phosphatidic acid (PA) was inhibited relatively little. These results suggest that thrombin-induced breakdown of inositol phospholipids and the metabolic pathway of PA to PI are inhibited by myristate. The saturated fatty acids which have lower and higher molecular weight than myristate revealed a little or no inhibitory effects on the aggregation and on these metabolic changes of platelet lipids, suggesting the specificity of chain-length in the inhibitory action. It is conceivable that the inhibition of thrombin-induced aggregation by myristate is associated with the inhibition of PI-turnover in the platelets treated with the fatty acid.     

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-independent platelet aggregation by sodium salicylate

The effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on platelet aggregation (PA) and thromboxane A₂ (TxA₂) formation was investigated in vitro and ex vivo after 1 g or 300 mg ASA administration to healthy subjects. 50–100 μM ASA inhibited PA by single aggregating agent such as platelet aggregating factor (PAF) or epinephrine and reduced to 5% of control platelet TxB₂ formation, but did not influence PA by epinephrine plus PAF. The latter was inhibited by increasing ASA concentration. In samples incubated with 100 μM ASA and stimulated with epinephrine plus PAF, PA could be inhibited by the addition of 100–300 μM sodium salicylate. After 300 mg-1 g ASA administration to healthy subjects, the inhibition of PA by epinephrine plus PAF was more marked by highest doses of ASA. This study suggests that aspirin inhibits PA with a cy clooxygenase-independent mechanism; this effect is mediated, at least in vitro, by salicylic acid.     

Inhibition of rabbit platelet aggregation by 1,4-naphthoquinones

The effects of four 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives on the aggregation of rabbit platelets were examined. All the four 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives inhibited the platelet aggregation of washed rabbit platelets induced by thrombin (0.1 U/ml) and the IC50 is: 2-chloro-3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (CMN), 5 micrograms/ml; 3-methyl-5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, 13 micrograms/ml; 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, 18 micrograms/ml; 3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (vitamin K3), 53 micrograms/ml. CMN was the most potent in inhibiting the aggregation and release reaction induced by ADP, arachidonic acid, PAF, ionophore A23187, collagen and thrombin in a dose-dependent manner in washed platelets, platelet-rich-plasma and whole blood. The thromboxane B2 formation caused by collagen and ionophore A23187 was inhibited by CMN. However, the thromboxane B2 formation by arachidonic acid was markedly increased. The platelet inhibitory effect of CMN could not be antagonized either by raising the concentrations of extracellular Ca++ or by wash out. The phosphoinositides breakdown induced by thrombin was inhibited by CMN. Phospholipids (PE, PC, PI) could slightly antagonize the antiplatelet effect of CMN. It is concluded that the inhibitory effect of CMN on rabbit platelet aggregation may be due to the inhibition of phosphoinositides breakdown caused by the inducers.     

Inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation by adenosine tetraphosphate.

In contrast to previous reports, highly purified adenosine tetraphosphate (AP4) does not induce the aggregation of platelets but inhibits the aggregation and release reaction in platelet-rich plasma promoted by ADP. The inhibitory action of AP4 on the aggregation by ADP is compared with that of AMP and ATP. The data presented suggest a competitive manner of inhibition of the ADP-induced aggregation by AP4.     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation by an irreversible local anesthetic

Three known local anesthetic agents were examined for their ability to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate or epinephrine. Drug-treated platelet-rich plasma samples were filtered through agarose gel to remove free drug, and the ability of the platelets to aggregate was again determined. One of the local anesthetics contained a "one-armed" nitrogen mustard structure and appeared to produce an irreversible inhibition of aggregation. The other two agents gave a block of aggregation that was reversed upon gel filtration.     

Inhibition of smoking-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin and pycnogenol.

The effects of a bioflavonoid mixture, Pycnogenol, were assessed on platelet function in humans. Cigarette smoking increased heart rate and blood pressure. These increases were not influenced by oral consumption of Pycnogenol or Aspirin just before smoking. However, increased platelet reactivity yielding aggregation 2 hours after smoking was prevented by 500 mg Aspirin or 100 mg Pycnogenol in 22 German heavy smokers. In a group of 16 American smokers, blood pressure increased after smoking. It was unchanged after intake of 500 mg Aspirin or 125 mg Pycnogenol. In another group of 19 American smokers, increased platelet aggregation was more significantly reduced by 200 than either 150 mg or 100 mg Pycnogenol supplementation. This study showed that a single, high dose, 200 mg Pycnogenol, remained effective for over 6 days against smoking-induced platelet aggregation. Smoking increased platelet aggregation that was prevented after administration of 500 mg Aspirin and 125 mg Pycnogenol. Thus, smoking-induced enhanced platelet aggregation was inhibited by 500 mg Aspirin as well as by a lower range of 100-125 mg Pycnogenol. Aspirin significantly (p<0.001) increased bleeding time from 167 to 236 seconds while Pycnogenol did not. These observations suggest an advantageous risk-benefit ratio for Pycnogenol.     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation and endogenous lectin activity by oligoamines

Amino sugars and basic amino acids inhibit platelet aggregation and the activity of the endogenous platelet lectin, yet, relatively high concentrations (approximately 30 mM) are required for the inhibition. If cooperative interactions are involved in these platelet surface activities, oligomers of primary amines should be more potent inhibitors than their individual component amines. Accordingly, series of oligomers of basic amino acids, of the polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) and of aliphatic diamines differing in chain length were tested for potency of inhibition of platelet aggregation and endogenous platelet lectin activity. Indeed, oligoamines were much more potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation than their corresponding monomers or shorter oligomers, more than accountable by an additive effect. For example, 60, 3 and 0.3 mM were needed for 50% inhibition of platelet aggregation by lysine, (lys)3 and (lys)5, respectively. A similar pattern was observed for the effect of the oligoamines on the activity of the endogenous platelet lectin. The inhibition of platelet aggregation by spermine is competitive, since the effect of a given dose of spermine decreased with increasing platelet concentration. Neither inhibition of platelet-inducer interaction nor Ca2+ insufficiency explain the inhibitory effects of the oligoamines. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that cooperative surface interactions underlie platelet aggregation and platelet lectin activity. The cooperative effects may reflect the formation of patches or clusters of positively charged groups on the surface of activated platelets.     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation in whole blood by adrenoceptor antagonists

It has recently become possible to study platelet aggregation in whole blood which may more closely resemble the in-vivo situation as the platelets are left in their natural milieu with red and white cells present which themselves can influence aggregation. The effects of 4 adrenoceptor antagonists on platelet aggregation in whole blood were studied in-vitro using the Clay-Adams Ultra Flo 100 whole blood platelet counter. Labetalol, pindolol and propranolol inhibited aggregation to 0.5 microgram/ml collagen in a dose dependent manner, and were synergistic with prostacyclin in inhibiting collagen induced aggregation. These 3 drugs also promoted reversal of aggregation induced by 10 microM ADP, but only inhibited 0.5 mM arachidonic acid induced aggregation at high drug concentrations. Atenolol had no effect on either collagen, ADP or arachidonic acid induced aggregation. The anti-platelet effect of these drugs may be of value in the treatment of vascular disease.     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation in whole blood by dipyridamole and aspirin

We have examined the effects of dipyridamole on platelet aggregation in whole blood both in vitro and after administration to man. The effects of dipyridamole ex vivo were compared with those of aspirin and a combination of dipyridamole and aspirin. In vitro dipyridamole was most effective as an inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) and low concentrations of arachidonic acid (AA). Its inhibitory effect was always potentiated by adenosine suggesting that its effect on aggregation may be via inhibition of adenosine uptake into blood cells. Ex vivo, dipyridamole, aspirin and the combination of these drugs inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by PAF and AA. Again, adenosine increased the degree of inhibition. These results stress the importance of measuring platelet aggregation in the natural whole blood environment for detection of the inhibitory effects of dipyridamole and suggest a mode of action for the drug.