The influence of organic peroxides on platelet aggregation and sensitivity to nitric oxide

The effects of oxidative stress, induced by water-soluble and lipid peroxides, on platelet reactivity and platelet sensitivity to nitric oxide were investigated. Hydrogen peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide potentiated thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. In contrast, 15(S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid had no such effect, while 12(S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid inhibited platelet reactivity. All of the peroxides tested were found to decrease platelet sensitivity to nitric oxide, although the mechanisms by which the various peroxides altered platelet sensitivity to nitric oxide were different. The water-soluble peroxides opposed the actions of nitric oxide without affecting cyclic GMP levels, while 15(S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid caused a significant reduction in the concentration of cyclic GMP formed in response to NO. The data from this study demonstrate that water-soluble and lipid peroxides both affect platelet reactivity and regulation, but by different mechanisms. Thus, caution should be exercised when selecting peroxides to be used as models of oxidative stress.