The release of nucleotides, 5‐hydroxytryptamine and enzymes from human blood platelets during aggregation

Abstract

ADP and adrenaline caused the aggregation of human platelets suspended in plasma containing citrate anticoagulant and stirred at 37[degree]C. The aggregation occurred in 2 phases and the 2nd phase was associated with the appearance in the plasma of up to 30% of the ATP and 55% of the ADP present in the platelets. The concentration of ADP appearing in the plasma was up to 7 times the concentration added. Radioactivity was released by ADP and by adrenaline from platelets labelled with radioactive 5-hydroxytryptamine; this release was closely correlated with the 2nd phase of aggregation and with the release of nucleotides. Acid phosphatase, [beta]-glucuronidase and adenylate kinase were released to a small extent during 2nd phase aggregation by ADP or adrenaline; thrombin and collagen particles caused significantly greater release of [beta]-glucuronidase than of either acid phosphatase or of adenylate kinase. Morphological changes indicating degranulation of the platelets were observed during the 2nd phase of aggregation produced by adrenaline and by ADP. The 2nd phase of aggregation, degranulation of platelets, and the release of nucleotides, of labelled 5-hydroxytryptamine and of enzymes, were all inhibited by concentrations of amitriptyline which did not inhibit aggregation.