Effect of heparin and dihydroergotamine on platelet adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate

Human platelet adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels were determined in platelet rich plasma (PRP) and in washed platelets by a modification of the protein binding assay; the validation of the method is described. Dihydroergotamine (DHE) inhibited epinephrine induced platelet aggregation (ID50 = 2.5 X 10(-7) mol/l), and increased cAMP levels in platelets by an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocking effect, since phentolamine but not propranolol, behaved similarly. The DHE induced cAMP accumulation was correlated to the inhibitory effect on aggregation and showed a characteristic alpha-adrenergic receptor pattern in the presence of alprostadil (PGE1) and epinephrine but not collagen or adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Thrombin induced aggregation was similarly affected by DHE but with 100 times higher concentration. Heparin was found to increase slightly ADP and epinephrine induced aggregation and to decrease cAMP. Also, heparin was found to inhibit thrombin induced platelet aggregation. In washed platelets, the inhibitory effect of thrombin on PGE1 induced cAMP accumulation was counteracted by heparin. This indicates that the binding site of thrombin on platelets is important in the control of adenyl cyclase. Evidence is presented that some of the beneficial synergistic effect of DHE and heparin may consist in the ability of those compounds to produce opposite effects on cAMP system in platelets.