The effect of dextran-40 on platelet adenosine triphosphate release in vitro

Studies of dextran's effect on platelet function have revealed inconclusive results; some reports have suggested it acts as an aggregating agent, others as an inhibitor to aggregation. This study demonstrates the inhibitory effect of dextran (40,000 MW) on in vitro platelet adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release when stimulated by conventional aggregatory reagents. These data support inhibition of platelet surface phenomena, possibly involving receptor sites, rather than intracellular phenomena as the mechanism of dextran's anti-aggregatory effect. Significant inhibition occurs in vitro at dextran levels approximately twice that normally attained in vivo.