Thromb Haemost 1981; 45(02): 173-179
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1650158
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Dependence of Human Platelet Functional Responses on Divalent Cations: Aggregation and Secretion in Heparin- and Hirudin-Anticoagulated Platelet-Rich Plasma and the Effects of Chelating Agents

Bruce Lages
The Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, N.Y., U.S.A
,
Harvey J Weiss
The Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, N.Y., U.S.A
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 05 May 1980

Accepted after revision 18 February 1981

Publication Date:
05 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

The dependence of ADP- and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation and secretion on extracellular divalent cations was examined by quantitating these responses in citrate-, heparin-, and hirudin-anticoagulated platelet-rich plasma. ADP-induced 14C-5HT secretion in heparin-PRP and hirudin-PRP was generally decreased, relative to that in citrate-PRP, without corresponding reductions in aggregation, whereas in response to epinephrine, both aggregation and secretion were decreased in heparin-PRP, and abolished in hirudin-PRP. In heparin-PRP, but not in hirudin-PRP, the degree to which these responses were altered was highly variable among normal subjects, and was dependent on the anticoagulant concentration. Addition of citrate restored the extent of ADP-induced secretion and of epinephrine-induced aggregation and secretion in heparin-PRP to that observed in citrate-PRP, and increased the extent of ADP-induced secretion in hirudin-PRP. Addition of EDTA or EGTA, however, had no effect on ADP-induced secretion in heparin-PRP. These results suggest that ADP-induced aggregation and secretion, as well as responses to ADP vs. epinephrine, have different dependencies on extracellular or surface-bound divalent cations. The variable responses observed in heparin-PRP may reflect direct interactions of heparin with platelets, and this variability may account for the conflicting results of previous studies.