Studies on the antiplatelet effect of the stable epoprostenol analogue beraprost sodium and its mechanism of action in rats

Baraprost sodium (sodium (+/-)-(1R*,2R*,3aS*,8bS*)-2,3,3a.8b- tetrahydro-2-hydroxy-1-[(E)-(3S*)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-octen-6- 1H-cyclopenta[b]benzo-furan-5-butyrate, TRK-100) is a novel stable epoprostenol (prostaglandin I2, PGI2) analogue having antiplatelet and vasodilating actions. Its effect on platelet aggregation in whole blood ex vivo and platelet suspension in vitro, formation of cyclic AMP(cAMP), production of malondialdehyde(MDA), and 45Ca++-influx into platelets were studied in rats. Oral administration of TRK-100 (0.3-1 mg/kg) showed a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen in whole blood and also inhibited in vitro thrombin-induced aggregation of platelet suspension in the presence or absence of external Ca++. Oral TRK-100 (0.3-3 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased plasma cAMP levels and this action was confirmed in vitro with platelet rich plasma in the presence or absence of theophylline. 45Ca++-influx into platelets stimulated by thrombin was dose-dependently inhibited by TRK-100 (3-100 nmol/l). TRK-100 (3-100 nmol/l) also suppressed MDA production induced by thrombin in platelet suspension but not that induced by arachidonic acid. From these results, TRK-100 which is orally active was suggested to exert its antiplatelet action through the increase of cAMP in platelets by activation of adenylate cyclase, concomitantly followed by the inhibition of Ca++-influx and thromboxane A2 formation.     

Studies on antiplatelet effect of OP-41483, a prostaglandin I2 analog, in experimental animals. I. Effect on platelet function and thrombosis

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of OP-41483, a PGl2 analog, were studied in experimental animals, and the following results were obtained: 1) With 10 min-intravenous infusion to guinea pigs, OP-41483 inhibited platelet adhesiveness and platelet aggregation at 300-1000 ng/kg/min and 1000 ng/kg/min, respectively. In these effects, OP-41483 was 1-3 times more potent than carbacyclin and 3 times less potent than PGl2. 2) With oral administration to guinea pigs, OP-41483 given as its alpha-cyclodextrin clathrate (OP-41483 alpha-CD) inhibited platelet adhesiveness at doses higher than 1.0 mg/kg (expressed in terms of OP-41483), whereas PGl2 and carbacyclin did not at 10 mg/kg. OP-41483 alpha-CD also inhibited platelet aggregation after a single dose of 3 mg/kg and repeated doses of 3 mg/kg/day for 7 days. 3) In the electrically induced thrombosis model of guinea pig mesenteric artery, OP-41483 (300-1000 ng/kg/min, i.v.-infusion) and OP-41483 alpha-CD (1.0-3.0 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited thrombus formation, but heparin (1.0-10 U/kg/min, i.v.-infusion) did not. 4) In the rabbit extracorporeal circulation thrombosis model, OP-41483 (100 and 300 ng/kg/min, i.v.-infusion) inhibited thrombus formation in the extracorporeal shunt and prevented the decrease in platelet count, hematocrit and fibrinogen level in circulating blood. Heparin (1.0-3.0 U/kg/min, i.v.-infusion) also inhibited the thrombus formation and the decrease in fibrinogen level, but did not inhibit the decrease in hematocrit and platelet count.     

Octimibate, a potent non-prostanoid inhibitor of platelet aggregation, acts via the prostacyclin receptor.

1. Octimibate, 8-[(1,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)oxy]octanoic acid, is reported to have antithrombotic properties. This is in addition to its antihyperlipidaemic effects which are due to inhibition of acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the antithrombotic effect of octimibate, and to determine whether the effects of octimibate are mediated through prostacyclin receptors. 2. In suspensions of washed (plasma-free) human platelets, octimibate is a potent inhibitor of aggregation; its IC50 is approx. 10 nM for inhibition of aggregation stimulated by several different agonists, including U46619 and ADP. The inhibitory effects of octimibate on aggregation are not competitive with the stimulatory agonist; the maximal response is suppressed but there is no obvious shift in potency of the agonist. In platelet-rich plasma, octimibate inhibits agonist-stimulated aggregation with an IC50 of approx. 200 nM. 3. Octimibate also inhibits agonist-stimulated rises in the cytosolic free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, in platelets. Both Ca2+ influx and release from intracellular stores are inhibited. The effects of octimibate on aggregation and [Ca2+]i are typical of agents that act via elevation of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP). Similar effects are seen with forskolin, prostacyclin (PGl2) and iloprost (a stable PGl2 mimetic). 4. Octimibate increases cyclic AMP concentrations in platelets and increases the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio. Octimibate stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity in human platelet membranes, with an EC50 of 200 nM. The maximal achievable activation of adenylyl cyclase by octimibate is 60% of that obtainable with iloprost.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor coupling to adenylate cyclase in adrenaline insensitive human platelets

Coupling of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor to adenylate cyclase was assessed in platelets from 3 groups of subjects: normal controls and patients with myeloproliferative disorders whose platelets were either sensitive or specifically insensitive to the aggregatory effects of adrenaline. The ability of adrenaline to induce the formation of a complex between the alpha 2-adrenoceptor and the inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein was examined in all three groups by assessment of the effect of mono and divalent cations and Gpp(NH)p on the displacement of [3H]yohimbine binding to platelet membranes by adrenaline. Coupling to adenylate cyclase was also assessed in separate studies of the inhibition by adrenaline of PGE1 stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in whole platelets. Both the formation of the ternary complex and the inhibition by adrenaline of cyclic AMP accumulation was not significantly different in platelets sensitive or insensitive to adrenaline. These results suggest that inhibition of cyclic AMP alone does not explain the mechanisms of adrenaline induced platelet aggregation.     

YC-1 inhibited human platelet aggregation through NO-independent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase.

1. Our previous study demonstrated that YC-1, a derivative of benzylindazole, is a novel activator of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in rabbit platelets. This work investigated whether the antiplatelet effect of YC-1 was mediated by a nitric oxide (NO)/sGC/cyclic GMP pathway in human platelets. 2. In human washed platelets, YC-1 inhibited platelet aggregation and ATP released induced by U46619 (2 microM), collagen (10 micro ml(-1)) and thrombin (0.1 u ml(-1)) in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of (microM) 2.1 +/- 0.03, 11.7 +/- 2.1 and 59.3 +/- 7.1, respectively. 3. In a 30,000 g supernatant fraction from human platelet homogenate, YC-1 (5-100 microM) increased sGC activity in a concentration-dependent manner. At the same concentration-range, YC-1 elevated cyclic GMP levels markedly, but only slightly elevated cyclic AMP levels in the intact platelets. 4. MY-5445, a selective inhibitor of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, potentiated the increases in cyclic GMP caused by YC-1, and shifted the concentration-anti-aggregation curve of YC-1 to the left. In contrast, HL-725, a selective inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, did not affect either the increases in cyclic nucleotides or the anti-aggregatory effect caused by YC-1. 5. Methylene blue, an inhibitor of sGC, blocked the increases of cyclic GMP caused by YC-1, and attenuated markedly the anti-aggregatory effect of YC-1. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor, 2'',5''-dideoxyadenosine (DDA) did not affect YC-1-induced inhibition of platelet aggregation. 6. Haemoglobin, which binds NO, prevented the activation of sGC and anti-aggregatory effect caused by sodium nitroprusside, but did not affect YC-1 response. 7. These results would suggest that YC-1 activates sGC of human platelets by a NO-dependent mechanism, and exerts its antiplatelet effects through the sGC/cyclic GMP pathway.     

Molecular basis of the synergistic inhibition of platelet function by nitrovasodilators and activators of adenylate cyclase: inhibition of cyclic AMP breakdown by cyclic GMP

We investigated the roles of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP in the inhibition of rabbit platelet aggregation and degranulation by two nitrovasodilators, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1; the active metabolite of molsidomine), with particular reference to the synergistic interaction of these drugs with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Changes in platelet cyclic [3H]GMP and cyclic [3H]AMP were measured by rapid and sensitive prelabeling techniques, the validity of which were confirmed by radioimmunoassays. Incubation of the platelets with 0.1 to 10 microM SNP alone for 0.5 min caused progressively greater inhibitions of platelet function associated with large dose-dependent increases in cyclic [3H]GMP and 1.4- to 3.0-fold increases in cyclic [3H]AMP. However, addition of SNP with the adenylate cyclase activator, PGE1, at a concentration of the latter that had little effect alone, caused much larger increases in cyclic [3H]AMP and greatly enhanced the inhibition of platelet aggregation. SIN-1 had effects similar to those of SNP, although it was less active. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA) diminished the increases in cyclic [3H]AMP caused by SNP or SIN-1 in both the presence and absence of PGE1 but reduced the inhibition of platelet function caused by the nitrovasodilators only in the presence of PGE1. These results suggest that, although cyclic GMP may mediate the inhibition of rabbit platelet function by high concentrations of nitrovasodilators added alone, the synergistic interaction of lower concentrations with PGE1 depends on an enhanced accumulation of cyclic AMP. Synergistic effects on cyclic [3H]AMP accumulation were also observed on incubation of platelets with SNP and adenosine, another activator of adenylate cyclase. Hemoglobin, which binds nitric oxide, blocked or reversed the increases in both cyclic [3H]GMP and cyclic [3H]AMP in platelets caused by the nitrovasodilators added either alone or with PGE1. Cilostamide, a selective inhibitor of platelet low Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, had effects on platelet cyclic [3H]AMP accumulation identical to those of SNP, suggesting that the action of the latter depends on inhibition of the same enzyme. M&B 22,948, a selective inhibitor of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, potentiated the increases in both cyclic [3H]GMP and cyclic [3H]AMP caused by SNP. A hyperbolic relationship was found between the increases in cyclic [3H]GMP and cyclic [3H]AMP caused by different concentrations of SNP; this relationship was not affected by addition of M&B 22,948. The results strongly suggest that the increases in platelet cyclic [3H]AMP caused by nitrovasodilators in the presence or absence of activators of adenylate cyclase are mediated by the inhibition by cyclic GMP of cyclic AMP breakdown.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Prostaglandin endoperoxide analogues which are both thromboxane receptor antagonists and prostacyclin mimetics.

Two prostaglandin endoperoxide analogues, EP 035 and EP 157, behave as specific thromboxane receptor antagonists on isolated smooth muscle preparations such as rabbit aorta, dog saphenous vein and guinea-pig trachea. However, in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) they produce an unsurmountable block of aggregation induced by a wide range of agents (ADP, platelet-activating factor, thrombin); this inhibitory profile is typical of that seen with either prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) or PGD2. EP 035 and EP 157 induce large increases in cyclic AMP levels (up to 20 times basal) in human PRP. Simultaneous exposure to PGE1 markedly reduces their effect on cyclic AMP; exposure to PGD2 is much less effective in this respect. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ 22,536 opposes the inhibitory action of EP 035, EP 157, iloprost (a stable PGI2 analogue) and PGD2 on platelet aggregation. However, the xanthone derivative AH 6809 blocks the inhibitory action of PGD2 but does not affect EP 035, EP 157 and PGI2 and its structural analogues. EP 035 and EP 157 displace [3H]-iloprost binding to the PGI2 receptor on human platelet membranes. Displacing ability is ranked as follows: iloprost greater than 6a-carba PGI2 greater than EP 157 greater than EP 035 greater than EP 164 (alpha-dinor derivative of EP 157). This order of potency is the same as that found for activation of adenylate cyclase in homogenates of washed human platelets and for inhibition of aggregation in washed human platelets. The activities of EP 035 and EP 157 were studied in two other systems containing PGI2 receptor-adenylate cyclase complexes, the NCB-20 cell line and human lung tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Epoprostenol (prostacyclin, PGI2) binding and activation of adenylate cyclase in platelets of diabetic and control subjects.

1 The binding of epoprostenol (prostacyclin, PGI2) to isolated fractured human platelets has been studied using tritiated PGI2. 2 High and low affinity binding sites for PGI2 have been identified (Kd values = 16 and 382 nM). 3 Analysis of the prostacyclin-dependent activation of adenylate cyclase suggests that enzyme activation is mediated by the high affinity binding site. 4 Platelet PGI2 receptor binding and adenylate cyclase activation by PGI2 are unchanged in diabetic and normal human platelets. 5 This work suggests that hyperaggregability of diabetic platelets is not due to any alteration of platelet prostacyclin receptor numbers or their activation.     

The in vitro and ex vivo antiplatelet effect of TRK-100, a stable prostacyclin analog, in several species

Effect of TRK-100, a stable PGI2 analog, on platelet function was tested in vitro and ex vivo. TRK-100 at the dose range of 0.5-300 nM inhibited platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, adenosine 5'-diphosphate and collagen in several species including human platelets. The potency of TRK-100 was 1/2 to 1/5 that of PGI2. The effect was strong in human and cat platelets. In conscious rabbits and rats, oral TRK-100 at the dose range of 0.1-1 mg/kg inhibited ex vivo platelet aggregation up to 80% in the rat and 70% in the rabbit, and the effect lasted over 5 hr. However, in both species, the effect on blood pressure was minimal. In anesthetized rabbits, inhibition of platelet aggregation was the same level as in the conscious animal, but blood pressure depression was observed. Cyclic AMP levels of human platelets, 2 min after incubation, was elevated up to 2.4 microM/10(9) platelets by 100 ng/ml of PGI2 and 1.5 microM by 100 ng/ml of TRK-100. It was shown that TRK-100 has a potent antiplatelet effect both in vitro and ex vivo in many species through elevation of platelet cAMP. These results suggest that TRK-100 may be a potential oral antithrombotic drug.     

Inhibitory effect of OP-41483.alpha-CD, a prostacyclin analog, on peripheral vascular lesion models in rats.

The effect of a chemically stable prostacyclin analog, OP-41483 alpha-cyclodextrin clathrate (OP-41483.alpha-CD), on vascular lesions, platelet aggregation and blood pressure were examined and compared with those of prostaglandin E1 alpha-cyclodextrin clathrate (PGE1.CD) in in vivo rat models. 1) In the laurate (1 mg/leg, i.a.)-induced arterial thrombotic model, OP-41483.alpha-CD (1 microgram/kg/min, i.v.) prevented the progression of femoral arterial vascular lesions and enhanced the development of collaterals in the femoral artery. PGE1.CD did not inhibit the progression of vascular damages. 2) In the model of vasoconstriction induced by epinephrine (0.05 mg/tail, s.c.) and ergotamine (2 mg/kg, s.c.), OP-41483.alpha-CD and PGE1.CD, at 1 microgram/kg/min, inhibited the progress of of tail gangrene and lessened the decrease in tail cutaneous blood flow. 3) OP-41483.alpha-CD (1 microgram/kg/min) suppressed the ADP (0.1 mg/kg/min, i.v.)-induced decrease in the number of circulating platelets without affecting the change in blood pressure. In contrast, PGE1.CD (3 micrograms/kg/min) inhibited ADP-induced thrombocytopenia with a decrease in blood pressure. These results indicate that OP-41483.alpha-CD has antiplatelet and cutaneous blood flow improving activities that are greater than its hypotensive effect and may be of therapeutic potential in peripheral vascular diseases.     

Prostacyclin-lipoprotein interactions. Studies on human platelet aggregation and adenylate cyclase

The in vitro effects of different lipoprotein fractions (VLDL, LDL and HDL) on human washed platelet aggregation, induced by collagen and thrombin, were evaluated in the presence and absence of PGI2. Although VLDL and LDL increased the platelet aggregation while HDL showed an opposite effect, none of the tested lipoprotein fractions affected the potency of PGI2 as inhibitor of platelet aggregation (IC50). In addition, studies were performed to evaluate the effects of lipoproteins on adenylate cyclase activity in human platelet membranes. The three lipoprotein classes inhibited both basal and PGI2-stimulated adenylate cyclase without affecting the EC50 for PGI2. This inhibitory activity was not specifically elicited by any protein or lipid since neither bovine serum albumin nor a lipid emulsion (Intralipid) displayed any inhibition. The effect on adenylate cyclase elicited by VLDL, LDL and HDL does not seem to be correlated with the activity on platelet aggregation. It is concluded that mediators other than cAMP might be involved in the control of platelet function by lipoproteins.     

Antiplatelet effect of 2-chloro-3-(4-acetophenyl)-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ301): a possible mechanism through inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

The effects of 2-chloro-3-(4-acetophenyl)-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ301), an antithrombotic agent, on aggregation, binding of fibrinogen to glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa complex and intracellular signals were investigated using human platelets. NQ301 significantly inhibited the collagen-, thrombin-, arachidonic acid-, thapsigargin- and calcium ionophore A23187-induced aggregation of washed human platelets with IC50 values of 13.0+/-0.1, 11.2+/-0.5, 21.0+/-0.9, 3.8+/-0.1 and 46.2+/-0.8 microM, respectively. NQ301 also significantly inhibited FITC-conjugated fibrinogen binding to human platelet surface GPIIb/IIIa complex, but failed to inhibit the fibrinogen binding to purified GPIIb/IIIa complex. These data demonstrate that NQ301 inhibits platelet aggregation by suppression of the intracellular pathway, rather than by direct inhibition of fibrinogen-GPIIb/IIIa complex binding. NQ301 significantly inhibited the increase of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and ATP secretion, and also significantly increased platelet cAMP levels in the activated platelets. These results suggest that the antiplatelet activity of NQ301 may be mediated by inhibition of cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization, enhancement of cAMP production and inhibition of ATP secretion in activated platelets.     

Antiplatelet effects of KW-7, a new inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases

The antiplatelet effect of a new synthetic compound, 8,9-dimethoxyl-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5,6-dihydro-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-2,3-dione (KW-7), was determined in rabbit platelets. KW-7 concentration-dependently prevented platelet aggregation caused by arachidonic acid, collagen, platelet-activating factor, and thrombin. KW-7 induced a substantial increase in cyclic AMP levels and a smaller increase in cyclic GMP levels in platelets. In platelet homogenates, KW-7 inhibited both cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase activities. The antiplatelet effect of KW-7 was reversed by SQ22536 (an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase) and H89 (an inhibitor of protein kinase A) but not by ODQ (an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase). These data suggest that the antiplatelet effect of KW-7 is cyclic AMP-dependent, and is through inhibition of platelet phosphodiesterases. In addition, KW-7 inhibited arachidonic acid-stimulated thromboxane production; this effect was associated with an increase in prostaglandin D(2) levels indicating KW-7 is also an inhibitor of thromboxane synthase. The dual inhibition of KW-7 on phosphodiesterase and thromboxane synthase might provide an attractive target in developing antiplatelet drugs.     

Alpha 2-adrenergic receptor-mediated regulation of adenylate cyclase in the intact human platelet. Evidence for a receptor reserve

The alpha 2-adrenergic receptor on the human platelet is known to mediate the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. A comparison of the binding and response properties of intact cells revealed that the full agonists norepinephrine and epinephrine inhibit cyclic AMP accumulation with apparently higher affinity than they exhibit in inhibiting the binding of [3H]yohimbine. Additionally, Hill coefficients of the occupancy curves of the agonists were less than unity, suggesting the presence of a heterogeneous receptor population in intact platelets under conditions that permit robust inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation. The partial agonist clonidine was found to possess the same affinity in the binding assay as in the response assay. These data are consistent with the presence of a receptor reserve in this system, a suggestion that was confirmed in experiments utilizing the irreversible alpha 2 antagonist phenoxybenzamine. The IC50 (100 nM) derived from the blockade of [3H]yohimbine binding by phenoxybenzamine was significantly less than the IC50 (550 nM) for the corresponding reversal by phenoxybenzamine of the effects of norepinephrine on cyclic AMP accumulation. Further studies demonstrated a rightward shift in the dose-response curves for the inhibition by norepinephrine of cyclic AMP accumulation following pretreatment with increasing phenoxybenzamine concentration. These data consistently indicated that occupancy of approximately 10% of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptors by norepinephrine elicits a half-maximal adenylate cyclase response. The relationship of these findings to current models of receptor-effector coupling is discussed.     

Comparative inhibitory effects of dihydropyridines on platelet aggregation, calcium uptake and cyclic AMP concentration.

We studied the in vitro effects of several calcium channel blockers from the dihydropyridine (DHP) family on platelet aggregation and endogenous serotonin secretion, calcium uptake and cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration using washed rat platelets. We found that, after 1 min incubation, nifedipine (Nif), nitrendipine (Nit) and nisoldipine (Nis) inhibited the thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion with IC50 of about 140, 5 and 2 mumol/l, respectively. Nis and Nit are thus much more active than Nif. We also found that the thrombin-induced Ca2+ uptake amounted to 2,600 +/- 326 pmol Ca2+/10(9) platelets in control conditions. In the presence of 10 mumol/l of the DHP, this uptake was decreased by 19, 49 or 77%, with Nif, Nit or Nis, respectively. Compound BAY K 8644 (BK) with known agonistic properties on the calcium channel had inhibitory effects on the studied parameters. These compounds were in the order of Nif < BK < Nit < Nis. When added to previously aggregated platelets, Nit caused them to deaggregate. These results seem to be similar to those obtained with cAMP analogues or adenylate cyclase activators. The platelet resting cAMP concentration was therefore measured in the presence of the DHP. A nonsignificant increase was found with 20 mumol/l Nif whereas significant increases of 20 and 68% as compared with controls were obtained with 20 mumol/l Nit and Nis, respectively. Partition studies between platelets and plasma lipoproteins indicated that the effects might be related to the lipophilicity of the compounds. These data suggest that these agents work on platelet activity by multiple effects located intracellularly or at the membrane level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interaction of prostaglandin D2 with prostacyclin, carbacyclin and the hydantoin prostaglandin, BW245C, in guinea-pig platelets.

The anti-aggregating actions of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) have been compared to prostacyclin (PGI2), its stable analogue carbacyclin and a hydantoin prostaglandin, BW245C, in guinea-pig PGI2, carbacyclin and BW245C were potent inhibitors of ADP-induced aggregation in guinea-pig platelets, with ID50 values comparable to those obtained in human platelet-rich-plasma. In contrast, PGD2 acted as a weak and partial inhibitor in guinea-pig platelet aggregation, producing a bell-shaped dose-response relationship. PGD2 induced a dose-related antagonism of the inhibitory actions of BW245C, prostacyclin and carbacyclin on guinea-pig platelets. However, PGD2 did not antagonize the inhibitory actions of either forskolin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP on this platelet preparation. The results suggest a non-specific interaction of PGD2 with these prostanoid binding sites on guinea-pig platelets.     

Effects of PGI2 on platelet aggregation and adenylate cyclase activity in human type IIa hypercholesterolemia

The sensitivity to PGI2 of platelets of 20 selected type IIa hypercholesterolemic patients was studied and compared to that of platelets of 14 normocholesterolemic subjects. Type IIa subjects required higher concentrations of PGI2 to inhibit platelet aggregation elicited by 1 microM ADP, 1 microgram/ml collagen and 1.4 microM epinephrine. Adenylate cyclase activity was also measured in washed platelet membranes from the two groups of subjects. Adenylate cyclase activity, both basal and PGI2-stimulated, was not statistically different in the two groups examined. Therefore changes at the level of PGI2 receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase are not likely to be responsible for the different platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin.     

Dicentrine, a novel antiplatelet agent inhibiting thromboxane formation and increasing the cyclic AMP level of rabbit platelets.

Dicentrine is an antiplatelet agent isolated from the Chinese herb Lindera megaphylla. We examined the in vitro effects of dicentrine on various aspects of platelet reactivity. Dicentrine inhibited the aggregation and ATP release of washed rabbit platelets induced by arachidonic acid (AA), collagen, ADP, platelet-activating factor (PAF), thrombin and U46619. Dicentrine also inhibited the thromboxane B2 formation caused by AA, collagen and thrombin in washed intact platelets or that induced by AA in lysed platelet homogenate, while prostaglandin D2 formation caused by AA was not increased. The generation of inositol monophosphates (in the presence of indomethacin) caused by thrombin, collagen and PAF was not suppressed significantly, nor did dicentrine suppress fibrinogen-induced aggregation of elastase-treated platelets. Dicentrine inhibited the intracellular Ca2+ increase in quin-2/AM-loaded platelets caused by thrombin, PAF, collagen and AA. The cyclic AMP level was elevated by dicentrine in a concentration-dependent manner. These data indicate that the inhibitory effect of dicentrine on platelet aggregation and ATP release was due to the inhibition of thromboxane formation and the elevation of the level of cyclic AMP.     

Structure-activity relationships associated with 3,4,5-triphenyl-1H-pyrazole-1-nonanoic acid, a nonprostanoid prostacyclin mimetic.

A series of phenylated pyrazoloalkanoic acid derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of ADP-induced human platelet aggregation. 3,4,5-Triphenyl-1H-pyrazole-1-nonanoic acid (8d), with an IC50 of 0.4 microM, was the most potent inhibitor identified in this study. Biochemical studies determined that 8d increased intraplatelet cAMP accumulation and stimulated platelet membrane-bound adenylate cyclase in a concentration-dependent fashion. Displacement of [3H]iloprost by 8d from platelet membranes indicated that the platelet prostacyclin (PGI2) receptor is the locus of biological action. Structure-activity studies demonstrated that the minimum structural requirements for binding to the platelet PGI2 receptor and inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation within this series are a vicinally diphenylated pyrazole substituted with an omega-alkanoic acid side chain eight or nine atoms long. Potency depended upon both side-chain length and its topological relationship with the two phenyl rings.     

In vivo interaction of prostacyclin with an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, HL 725.

Prostacyclin (PGI2) inactivates platelets by stimulation of adenylate cyclase, and its effect can be potentiated in vitro by simultaneous inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. The interaction of synthetic PGI2 and the potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor HL 725 was studied in a model of systemic platelet activation by intravenous injection of collagen. Platelet aggregate formation was evaluated by continuous on-line measurement of the circulating platelet count. Collagen injection in rabbits receiving vehicle caused a 30 +/- 3% decrease in the circulating platelet count. Infusion of PGI2 (0.05, 0.1 and 0.75 micrograms kg-1 min-1) dose-dependently inhibited this decrease. HL 725 (0.5, 1 and 3 micrograms kg-1 min-1) caused a slight but significant effect. Combinations of PGI2 and HL 725, respectively, at 0.25 + 1.0 and 0.1 + 0.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1 inhibited platelet aggregate formation to a greater extent than when either substance was used alone and produced a comparable inhibition to PGI2 at 0.75 micrograms kg-1 min-1. Collagen induced an acute fall in the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) which also was inhibited by PGI2, HL 725 and their combinations. The infusion of a combination of PGI2 and HL 725 before collagen produced a decrease in the MABP which was greater than when either compound was used on its own. Thus, PGI2 and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor HL 725 interact in vivo to inhibit platelet aggregation and lower MABP.