Background: Pharmacological inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism has proven therapeutically useful in the prevention of cardiovascular events.
Methods: We have investigated the ability of Bay u 3405, a synthetic thromboxane antagonist, to interfere with platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid metabolism. The antiplatelet action was also analysed in a perfusion system in which vascular subendothelium was exposed to circulating human blood (10 min; shear rate = 800 s-1). Platelet interactions were morphometrically analysed and results compared with those obtained in studies with blood from donors taking aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) (500 mg day-1). The additional effect of Bay u 3405 on the antiplatelet action of ASA was also evaluated.
Results: Bay u 3405 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by U46619 with a maximal effect at concentrations > or = 0.01 microgram mL-1. Higher concentrations (> or = 0.05 micrograms mL-1) also inhibited aggregations induced by ADP or collagen. Bay u 3405 did not interfere with platelet arachidonic acid metabolism. In perfusion studies, Bay u 3405 (0.01 microgram mL-1) significantly decreased the total surface of the vessel covered by platelets (%CS = 18.7 +/- 1.09 vs. 24.4 +/- 1.94; P < 0.05) and the formation of large aggregates %T = 7.5 +/- 0.87 vs. 19.3 +/- 1.61; P < 0.01). ASA treatment reduced platelet aggregate formation (%T = 13.7 +/- 2.06; P < 0.05) but did not affect the total surface covered by platelets. The in vitro addition of Bay u 3405 to blood from ASA-treated donors further reduced the formation of large aggregates (%T = 2.7 +/- 0.79; P < 0.01 vs. ASA).
Conclusions: In vitro effect of Bay u 3405 on platelet function were superior to those observed with ASA. The thromboxane antagonism antagonism provided by Bay u 3405 further enhanced the inhibition of platelet aggregate formation found after ASA treatment.