In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Adrenaline and Phentolamine on Platelet Function

Summary

In vitro and in vivo effects of adrenaline (ADR) on platelet aggregation, on platelet factor 3 (PF₃) availability and on platelet factor 4 (PF₄) release were studied in man. Inhibitory action of an alpha-blocker, phentolamine (PHEN) was investigated in the same conditions.

The threshold concentration (TC) of ADR inducing the typical two-phase response in aggregation tests when added to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) varied in different pools of plasma, but always induced an evident PF₄ release and increased PF₃ availability. A further increase in both parameters was obtained with higher concentrations but without any significant dose/response correlation.

Adding PHEN alone to PRP did not induce platelet aggregation or modify PF₄ release induced by stirring, but it reduced PF₃ availability. On the other hand, PHEN prevented the effects of ADR in different platelet tests, at appropriate concentrations.

Intravenous infusion of ADR lowered the TC, and increased PF₃ availability and PF₄ release. In vivo administration of PHEN, in contrast, increased TC and reduced PF₃ availability, while PF₄ remained unchanged.

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