Characterization of the effects of isoprostanes on platelet aggregation in human whole blood

Abstract

We tested the effects of 11 commercially-available isoprostanes on platelet aggregation directly or when triggered by the thromboxane receptor agonist U46619 or collagen in healthy human citrated blood using a whole blood aggregometer. None of the isoprostanes tested triggered aggregation alone, nor facilitated aggregation by a sub-threshold dose of U46619 or collagen. Five isoprostanes inhibited aggregation (rank order of potency 8-iso PGE(1)>8-iso PGE(2)>8-iso PGF(2alpha)>8-iso PGF(3alpha)>8-iso-13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF(2alpha)). Blood incubated with LPS to induce a gross inflammatory response exhibited a time dependent (2 - 12 h) reduction in aggregation to U46619 but maintained a consistent response to collagen. Under these conditions, as in control blood, none of the isoprostanes tested induced aggregation. In fact, the inhibitory actions of isoprostanes on U46619-induced aggregation were enhanced in blood treated with LPS. L-NAME inhibited aggregation induced by U46619 in fresh blood and in blood treated with LPS. In the presence of L-NAME, (with or without LPS) none of the isoprostanes tested induced aggregation but retained their inhibitory action. Thus, in human whole blood the action of 8-iso PGE(1), 8-iso PGE(2), 8-iso PGF(2alpha), 8-iso PGF(3alpha), and 8-iso-13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF(2alpha) is antiaggregatory. Moreover, this inhibitory capacity is still apparent and may be enhanced in blood subjected to inflammatory stimulation.