Summary
The inhibitory effect of cAMP-elevating agents on shape change and aggregation in
human platelets was studied to improve the understanding of the sequential relationship
between these two responses.
Human platelet-rich plasma was preincubated for 2 min at 37° C with prostaglandin
E1 or adenosine, agents known to elevate the intracellular level of cAMP. Their inhibitory
effects on ADP-induced shape change and aggregation were determined both separately
and simultaneously. The dose-inhibition patterns for shape change and aggregation
were similar for both PGE1 and adenosine. There was no distinct difference between the inhibitory action of
these two inhibitors.
These observations suggest that elevation of the intracellular concentration of cAMP
interferes with an early step in the stimulus-response coupling that is common for
aggregation and shape change.
Key words
ADP - Aggregation - Cyclic AMP - Inhibition - Platelets - Shape change