Decreased Platelet Inhibition by Nitric Oxide in Two Brothers With a History of Arterial Thrombosis

Abstract

Highly reactive oxygen species rapidly inactivate nitric oxide (NO), an endothelial product which inhibits platelet activation. We studied platelet inhibition by NO in two brothers with a cerebral thrombotic disorder. Both children had hyperreactive platelets, as determined by whole blood platelet aggregometry and flow cytometric analysis of the platelet surface expression of P-selectin. Mixing experiments showed that the patients' platelets behaved normally in control plasma; however, control platelets suspended in patient plasma were not inhibited by NO. As determined by flow cytometry, in the presence of plasma from either patient there was normal inhibition of the thrombin-induced expression of platelet surface P-selectin by prostacyclin, but not NO. Using a scopoletin assay, we measured a 2.7-fold increase in plasma H2O2 generation in one patient and a 3.4-fold increase in the second patient, both compared with control plasma. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was decreased in the patients' plasmas compared with control plasma. The addition of exogenous GSH-Px led to restoration of platelet inhibition by NO. These data show that, in these patients' plasmas, impaired metabolism of reactive oxygen species reduces the bioavailability of NO and impairs normal platelet inhibitory mechanisms. These findings suggest that attenuated NO-mediated platelet inhibition produced by increased reactive oxygen species or impaired antioxidant defense may cause a thrombotic disorder in humans.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 16, 1995
Accession Number
ADA360246

Entities

People

  • C. R. Valeri
  • J. E. Freedman
  • J. Loscalzo
  • M. R. Barnard
  • S. E. Benoit

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Albumins
  • Biomedical And Dental Materials
  • Blood
  • Blood Cells
  • Blood Coagulation Factors
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders
  • Free Radicals
  • Health Services
  • Hematologic Diseases
  • Oxygen
  • Polymeric Films
  • United States
  • Vascular System Injuries
  • X-Ray Computed Tomography

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Immunology and Pathology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.