Influence of the monocyte culture on thromboxane A2 level and platelet aggregation

The importance of circulating blood cells has been further emphasized as monocytes may also contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The pathological changes in atheroma may be partly mediated by metabolites of arachidonic acid. The aim of this study was determining thromboxane B2 concentrations in the supernatants of monocytes cultures and its influence on platelet aggregation. Human blood monocytes were recovered according to the procedure of Böyum and incubated with LPS. It was shown that monocytes produced thromboxane A2. The culture supernatant of monocytes from 36 h cultivation exerts an independent effect on platelet aggregation, which has been modified by inhibitors of aggregating factors. The results may indicate the influence of monocytes on AA metabolism in particular TXB2 production, platelet function and indirectly on the atherosclerotic process.