Summary
The effect of the depressor active substance (DAS) on platelets of men, cats, pigs,
dogs, rats, and rabbits has been studied by the method of Born (1962). DAS was found
to induce platelet aggregation only in human and feline platelet rich plasma (PRP).
Nevertheless, there are some striking similarities between platelet aggregation induced
by DAS and ADP (i.e. inhibition by the same compounds, such as adenosine, tosylarginine
methylester, or p-chloromercuribenzoic acid). The species specifity and a marked tachyphylactic
action on platelets of both species makes DAS clearly discernible from all the other
aggregation inducing substances which have been studied so far. From additional experiments
there is evidence that DAS acts on human and cat platelets via a release reaction
of cellular substances known to enhance platelet aggregation in a second phase. This
process is strongly dependent on the presence of Ca++.