Effects of novel aggregation inhibitors on serotonin uptake by human blood platelets

Novel aggregation inhibitors blocked serotonin uptake by human blood platelets in concentrations ranging from 0.7 +/- 0.1 microM to 237.5 +/- 35.7 microM; a modified procedure, validated by kinetic analysis, was employed in which pH drift was minimized to 0.03 during the active assay period. Structural features in carbamoylpiperidine and nipecotoylpiperazine derivatives which actually constitute molecular probes, and show remarkable specificity for aggregation-inhibitory target sites, disclosed striking differences between the latter and serotonin receptors or other loci affecting serotonin uptake.     

The effect of glycerol on aggregation and ultrastructure of human platelets

Cryopreservation of platelets depends on the use of cryoprotectants to reduce freezing damage. However, the cryoprotectants may in themselves be harmful, and it is important to determine the amount of damage caused by these compounds. Platelets were incubated at 37 °C in plasma containing 0, 0.5 and 1.0 mol/liter glycerol. The aggregation response to 10 and 5 μmol/liter ADP was determined after 2, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min of incubation. Samples were prepared for electron microscopy after 30 min at 37 °C. Glycerol at a concentration of 0.5 mol/liter had no effect on the extent of aggregation, whereas 1.0 mol/liter glycerol caused a progressive decline in the response. However, platelet ultrastructure appeared to be undisturbed by 1.0 mol/liter glycerol. The results demonstrated a lack of toxicity of 0.5 mol/liter glycerol and support the use of glycerol at concentrations less than 1.0 mol/liter for cryopreservation.     

Amiloride analogs stimulate protein phosphorylation and serotonin release in human platelets

We examined the effects of newly exploited amiloride analogs on protein phosphorylation and serotonin secretion in human platelets. 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl) amiloride (IBA) and, to a lesser extent, 5-(N-methyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride (IPA), highly specific inhibitors of Na+/H+-pump, induced the phosphorylation of 47K-dalton protein and myosin light chain (20K). The phosphorylation was inhibited by apyrase. On the other hand, 3', 4'-dichlorobenzamil (DCB) and 2', 4'-dimethylbenzamil (DMB), highly specific inhibitors of Na+/Ca2+-pump, and to a lesser extent amiloride analogs induced serotonin secretion. Apparently there was dissociation between the phosphorylation and the serotonin release induced by the analogs.     

Effect of halofenate and clofibrate on growth and lipid synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Halofenate-free acid (HFA) inhibited the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by 50% at a concentration of 0.34 mm. This inhibitory effect was prevented by addition of either oleate or acetate, but not by pyruvate. When cell growth was supported by oleate, HFA inhibited the incorporation of radioactive carbon from glucose-U-(14)C or pyruvate-2-(14)C into fatty acids and sterols. The incorporation of radioactive carbon into fatty acids and sterols from acetate-2-(14)C was unaffected by the compound. When cell growth was supported by either oleate or acetate, HFA inhibited the conversion of pyruvate-1-(14)C to (14)CO(2). These results suggest that HFA inhibits the conversion of pyruvate to acetate in yeast. Partially purified yeast pyruvate dehydrogenase was inhibited 50% by 5.5 mm HFA; however, the concentration required for 50% inhibition was considerably reduced when the enzyme was preincubated with the compound at room temperature. In a similar manner, the hypolipidemic agent clofibrate-free acid inhibited the growth of yeast by 50% at 3.0 mm. This inhibition was also prevented by acetate and not by pyruvate. In addition, clofibrate-free acid inhibited partially purified pyruvate dehydrogenase by 50% at a concentration of 37.0 mm.     

Paradoxical effects of amiloride analogs on protein phosphorylation and serotonin release induced by agonists in human platelets

We examined the effects of newly exploited amiloride analogs on protein phosphorylation and serotonin secretion induced by various agonists in human platelets. 3', 4'-dichlorobenzamil (DCB) and to a lesser extent, 2', 4'-dimethylbenzamil (DMB), which in many cells highly specific inhibitors of Na+/Ca2+-pump, inhibited the phosphorylation of 47K- and 20K-dalton proteins and serotonin secretion in human platelets independently of the action on the pump. DCB also induced dephosphorylation of 47K and 20K after the phosphorylation of these proteins by thrombin and released serotonin by itself.     

PDGF modifies phosphoinositide metabolism and inhibits aggregation and release in human platelets

While platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) did not induce any platelet aggregation nor secretion, it modified the polyphosphoinositide metabolism of human platelets prelabeled with 32P-orthophosphate. We found a decrease of 32P associated with phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate after 3 min, with parallel increase of 32P-phosphatidylinositol 4 phosphate and 32P-phosphatidylinositol using 100 ng/ml of PDGF. This modification was PDGF concentration dependent. PDGF inhibited thrombin and collagen induced platelet aggregation and 14C-serotonin release in a dose dependent manner, but was without effect when arachidonic acid was used. These results suggest that PDGF (i) stimulated the hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides (ii) and could exert a negative feedback control on platelet activation induced by thrombin or collagen.     

Synergistic functions of phorbol ester and calcium in serotonin release from human platelets

In human platelets, thrombin activates Ca2+-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) and mobilizes Ca2+ concomitantly, whereas 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) may be intercalated into membranes and directly activates protein kinase C without mobilization of Ca2+ in sufficient quantities. A series of experiments with TPA and Ca2+-ionophore (A23187) indicates that activation of protein kinase C is a prerequisite requirement for release of serotonin, and that this enzyme activation and Ca2+ mobilization act synergistically to elicit a full cellular response. Both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP inhibit activation of protein kinase C by prohibiting the signal-dependent breakdown of inositol phospholipid to produce diacyl-glycerol, but none of these cyclic nucleotides prevents the TPA-induced activation of this enzyme.     

Effect of serotonin on cyclic nucleotides of human platelets.

Serotonin produced a 6 to 10 fold increase of cyclic GMP over baseline levels of this nucleotide in platelets. Maximum stimulation was reached within 30 sec to 1 min after addition of serotonin and was dependent upon its concentration in the medium. Inhibition of serotonin uptake by methysergide, dihydroergotamine and chloroimipramine did not influence the serotonin-induced stimulation of cyclic GMP but glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde blocked it completely. Cyclic AMP levels in platelets were not affected by serotonin. The serotonin-induced stimulation of cyclic GMP is independent of the uptake of this biogenic amine by platelets and is not due to platelet aggregation.     

Hepatic release of carnitine: effect of increased concentration by clofibrate treatment.

The release of carnitine is an important metabolic function of the liver. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of increased carnitine concentration on the hepatic release of carnitine. Hepatic carnitine concentration was increased in rats by clofibrate treatment. Release of carnitine was investigated as its efflux from perfused liver and its secretion into bile. A significantly smaller proportion of the hepatic pool of carnitine was released into the perfusion medium when carnitine concentration was increased by clofibrate treatment. However, the amount of carnitine released (nmol/g liver) was comparable to that of control rats. Increased carnitine concentration by clofibrate treatment also did not affect the rate of biliary secretion of carnitine. In control rats, nearly 50% of the released carnitine, in both the perfusion medium and bile, was acylcarnitine whereas in clofibrate-treated rats 35% of the released carnitine was acylcarnitine. Release into the perfusion medium was the major route for the hepatic export of carnitine. We conclude that when hepatic carnitine concentration is increased by clofibrate treatment, a smaller proportion of the hepatic carnitine pool is released, but the amount of carnitine released (nmol/g liver) is not greatly different than that from control animals.     

Effects of propranolol and pindolol on platelet aggregation and serotonin release

The aggregation of human platelets by adrenaline and adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) and its inhibition by β-blockers was studied by measuring the light transmission of plateletrich plasma (PRP) and suspensions of washed platelets exposed to these agents. Inhibition of aggregation of PRP and washed platelets was dose related in the two β-blockers tested: propranolol and pindolol. The potent β-blockers pindolol was less inhibitory than propranolol when adrenaline and ADP were used to induce platelet aggregation. The aggregation of platelets by adrenaline has two phases. With low doses of the blockers only the second phase was inhibited whereas higher doses blocked both phases. Preincubation of human platelets (PRP and washed platelets) with both blockers per se resulted in release of ¹⁴C-labelled serotonin. Propranolol released more serotonin than pindolol. There was no concomitant release of lactic dehydrogenase. It is concluded that the effects of propranolol and pindolol on platelets do not correlate with the β-blocking activity of these agents. Rather, the more lypophilic agent, propranolol, is more active both in inhibition of aggregation and in releasing platelet serotonin. It is suggested that these actions of the drugs are related to their non-specific membrane effects.     

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate induces aggregation and release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from saponin-permeabilized human platelets

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate induces aggregation and the release of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine from human platelets rendered permeable with saponin. This action of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is associated with a significant formation of thromboxane B2, activation of phospholipase C, and phosphorylation of 20,000- and 40,000-dalton proteins, which are the substrates for myosin light chain kinase and protein kinase C, respectively. All of these responses are blocked by the cyclooxygenase inhibitors indomethacin and aspirin and the dual cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor 3-amino-1-[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-pyrazoline (BW 755C). These data indicate that platelet activation by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is initiated by the mobilization of Ca2+, which leads to phospholipase A2 activation. The thromboxanes and endoperoxides that are subsequently generated then induce activation via cell surface receptors.     

Inhibition of ADP-induced aggregation of human platelets by beta, gamma-methylene-ATP.

Like ATP the analogue beta, gamma-methylene-ATP (AMP-PCP) is shown to be an inhibitor of both ADP-induced shape change and aggregation of human platelets. The effect of AMP-PCP on aggregation is not dependent on its conversion to adenosine, though in the presence of plasma adenosine is produced and the inhibitory effect is enhanced. Since AMP-PCP cannot be enzymatically cleaved at the beta, gamma-position the inhibitory effect cannot be attributed to utilisation of the analogue by a surface-located ATPase as has been suggested for ATP. Alternative explanations for the effect are considered with respect to some current theories of ADP-induced platelet aggregation.     

Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against glycoprotein IIIa of human platelets. Their effect on platelet aggregation

Monoclonal antibodies against purified glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) of human platelet membranes have been obtained. These antibodies, except one, are able to bind to intact platelets; the exception is M108/p98 antibody which recognizes a new epitope, unmasked after proteolysis of GPIIIa in vitro. Several antigenic areas can be delineated on the molecule, by testing the ability of different antibodies to compete in their simultaneous binding to GPIIIa. One of the monoclonal antibodies inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation while others do not have an effect or induce agglutination of platelets independent of ADP. Conventional antiserum raised against purified GPIIIa also blocks the aggregation induced by ADP. These results favour the hypothesis that GPIIIa plays a direct role in the mechanism of platelet aggregation.     

The effect of ADP, calcium and some inhibitors of platelet aggregation on protein phosphokinases from human blood platelets.

A protein phosphokinase (ATP: protein phosphotransferase EC 2.7.1.37) which is stimulated by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) has been partially purified from both the cytoplasmic and membrane fractions of human platelets. The kinetics of both enzymes preparations are similar in respect to cyclic AMP, ATP, ADP and AMP. 5-10-minus 7 M cyclic AMP stimulated both preparations by approximately 100%. Both ADP and AMP at a concentration of 5-10-minus 5 M inhibited protein phosphokinase activity of the soluble and membrane preparation by between 50% and 70%. The response of the two enzyme preparations to calcium differed. 10 mM Ca-2+ inhibited soluble protein phosphokinase activity approximately 80% both in the presence and absence of 5-10 minus 7 M cyclic AMP whereas the same concentrations of Ca-2+ inhibited the membrane-bound enzyme by approximately 60% in the presence of 5-10-minus 7 M cyclic AMP and 40% in the absence of cyclic AMP. This observation may be of importance in understanding the mechanism of platelet aggregation.     

Characterization of serotonin binding sites on human platelets

A high affinity, saturable 3H-spiroperidol binding site was identified for the first time on the intact human platelet, with drug affinities comparable to the serotonin-2 (S-2) receptor in human frontal cortex. The site was characterized by a KD of 2.7 +/- 0.3nM and a Bmax of 1.4 +/- 0.2 pmoles/10(8) platelets. A 3H-serotonin binding site was also found, with a KD of 42 +/- 8 nM, which appeared to represent the serotonin uptake site. No 3H-serotonin binding site with features of the serotonin-1 (S-1) receptor in brain was found on the platelet. Assay of 3H-spiroperidol binding to platelets may serve as an easily applied model for studying S-2 receptor function in man, and its relationship to age, hormonal, drug, and disease effects.