Inhibition of platelet activation by the nitrate Sin-1: studies with human aequorin-loaded platelets

The effects of the nitrovasodilator Sin-1, which is thought to work through cyclic-GMP, were studied using human, aequorin-loaded, washed platelets. Changes in light transmission (shape change, aggregation), and in intracellular calcium were simultaneously recorded. Evidence was obtained for an inhibitory effect distal to calcium changes, in a similar way than a prostacyclin analogue, Iloprost. By contrast the response to an activator of protein kinase C was unaffected. There was a partial, parallel decrease in calcium changes and aggregation induced with thrombin, and a total inhibition of the responses to ADP (linked to a calcium influx).