Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Rat platelets aggregate in the absence of endogenous precursors of prostaglandin endoperoxides

Nature volume 264, pages 449–451 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

THE prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxides, PGG2 and PGH2, are thought to have a function in human platelet aggregation, since they are formed during thrombin-induced aggregation1. They induce aggregation on addition to platelet-rich plasma (PRP), either directly or after conversion to thromboxane A2 (TXA2)2. TXA2 (half life ∼ 30 s) is formed in vitro by a microsomal enzyme which is insensitive to inhibition by aspirin-like drugs3,4. It is therefore distinct from the cyclo-oxygenase that converts arachidonic acid (AA) into PG endoperoxides. AA, after incorporation into membrane phospholipids, is liberated during thrombin-induced aggregation and is then almost completely metabolised5 by the cyclo-oxygenase and AA-lipoxygenase6. Therefore, we tested platelets of animals that were deprived of AA, and still observed aggregation with collagen, indicating that PG endoperoxides and TXA2 are not essential for aggregation.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hamberg, M., Svensson, J., Wakabayashi, T., and Samuelsson, B., Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 71, 345–349 (1974).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hamberg, M., Svensson, J., and Samuelsson, B., Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 72, 2994–2998 (1975).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Needleman, P. et al., Nature, 261, 558–560 (1976).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Needleman, P., Minkes, M., and Raz, A., Science, 193, 163–165 (1976).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Bills, T. K., Smith, J. B., and Silver, M. J., Biochim. biophys. Acta., 424, 303–315 (1976).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Nugteren, D. H., Biochim. biophys. Acta., 380, 299–307 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Dorp, D. A. van, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 180, 181–199 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ziboh, V. A., Vanderhoek, J. Y., and Lands, W. E. M., Prostaglandins, 5, 233–240 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bonta, I. L., Chrispijn, H., Noordhoek, J., and Vincent, J. E., Prostaglandins, 5, 495–503 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Holman, R. T., J. Nutr., 76, 405–410 (1960).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Vincent, J. E., Zijlstra, F. J., and Bonta, I. L., Prostaglandins, 10, 899–911 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. MacIntyre, D. E., and Gordon, J. L., Biochem. Soc. Trans., 2, 1265–1269 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Zucker, M. B., and Peterson, J., Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med., 127, 547–551 (1968).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Farias, R. N., Bloj, B., Morero, R. D., Sinerez, F., and Tucco, R. E., Biochim. biophys. Acta., 415, 231–251 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hamberg, M., and Fredholm, B. B., Biochim. biophys. Acta., 431, 189–193 (1976).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Nishizawa, E. E. et al., Prostaglandins, 9, 109–121 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. MacIntyre, D. E., and Gordon, J. L., Nature, 258, 337–339 (1975).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Vane, J. R., Br. J. Pharmac., 23, 360–373 (1964).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Piper, P. J., and Vane, J. R., Nature, 223, 29–35 (1969).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Bunting, S., Moncada, S., and Vane, J. R., Br. J. Pharmac., 57, 462P–463P (1976).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Bull, H., and Bonta, I. L., Agents and Actions, 6 (in the press).

  22. Vargaftig, B. B., Tranier, Y., and Chignard, M., Eur. J. Pharmac., 33, 19–29 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Willis, A. L., Prostaglandins, 5, 1–25 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Folch, J., Lees, M., and Sloane-Stanley, G. H., J. biol. Chem., 226, 497–509 (1957).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Hofstetter, H. H., Sen, N., and Holman, R. T., J. Am. Oil chem. Soc., 42, 537–540 (1965).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    H. BULT & I. L. BONTA

Authors
  1. H. BULT
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. I. L. BONTA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

BULT, H., BONTA, I. Rat platelets aggregate in the absence of endogenous precursors of prostaglandin endoperoxides. Nature 264, 449–451 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/264449a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/264449a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing