EFFECTS OF NITROBLUE TETRAZOLIUM AND VITAMIN-E ON PLATELET ULTRASTRUCTURE, AGGREGATION, AND SECRETION

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 88  (2) , 387-402
Abstract
The combination of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and vitamin E which prevents oxygenation of arachidonic acid to a free radical also blocks platelet [human] prostaglandin biosynthesis. NBT and vitamin E, rather than injuring platelets, appear to protect them during incubation. Together NBT and vitamin E blocked aggregation by epinephrine, collagen and thrombin, but permitted a small 1st wave stimulated by ADP. Both ADP and thrombin induced shape change, pseudopod formation and limited degrees of internal contraction in vitamin E-NBT-treated platelets, but epinephrine and collagen failed to significantly alter discoid form. This pattern of response to aggregating agents was identical to reactions observed in platelets pretreated with aspirin and indomethacin, both potent inhibitors of platelet prostaglandin synthesis. In addition, NBT-vitamin E virtually blocked the 1st wave of aggregation which is not affected by aspirin and indomethacin. Conversion of arachidonic acid to an activated state is an important step in prostaglandin synthesis and that electron transfer or oxidation-reduction reactions are intimately involved in the development of platelet stickiness.

This publication has 53 references indexed in Scilit: