A Biphasic Response of Platelets to Serotonin

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Abstract
Serotonin is a powerful inducer of platelet aggregation and is known to be capable of triggering the release of endogenous platelet ADP, serotonin and catecholamines. A second wave of clumping inevitably develops after platelet release is stimulated by exogenous ADP, thrombin and epinephrine, but a biphasic reaction consistent with release has not been observed in previous nephalometric studies of serotonin induced aggregation. The present study indicates that serotonin does produce a biphasic response in some samples of normal C‐PRP. A double wave was observed in plasmas from five adult females, one adult male, and one child out of thirty‐three individuals studied. Electron microscopic evaluation of samples obtained from the serotonin induced first and second waves revealed changes consistent with aggregometer tracings and with sequential alterations observed during the biphasic response of platelets to other aggregating agents.