PLATELET INHIBITION BY SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE, A SMOOTH-MUSCLE INHIBITOR

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 47  (6) , 957-961
Abstract
The effects of sodium nitroprusside (NP), a pure smooth muscle inhibitor, on platelet function were studied. Platelet-rich plasmas (PRP) from normal controls and from patients receiving NP were studied in vitro for aggregation in response to ADP, epinephrine, and collagen. Platelet ADP release (release reaction) was also investigated. Normal platelets demonstrated marked inhibition of aggregation when incubated with NP for 3 min. Prolonging the incubation was without additional effect. ADP and ATP release from platelets in response to collagen was also inhibited. PRP from patients receiving nitroprusside at concentrations between 25 .mu.g/min and 165 .mu.g/min showed inhibition of aggregation when compared to findings prior to the administration of NP. NP acts by inhibiting contractile proteins and thus platelet ADP release and aggregation may depend on contraction of platelet smooth muscle-like protein, thrombosthenin.