Activation of rabbit blood platelets by anandamide through its cleavage into arachidonic acid

Anandamide (ANA), a cannabinoid receptor ligand, stimulated platelet aggregation at concentrations similar to those of arachidonic acid (AA). The aggregating effect of ANA was inhibited by aspirin but not by SR-141716, a cannabinoid receptor antagonist. In addition, HU-210, a cannabinoid receptor agonist, failed to induce platelet activation. Radiolabelling experiments showed that exogenous ANA was cleaved by platelets into AA through a phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF)-sensitive pathway. In agreement, PMSF was shown to abolish the aggregating effect of ANA. In conclusion, ANA is able to induce platelet activation via its cleavage by a PMSF-sensitive amidase activity, leading to the release of AA which in turn activates platelets.