Platelet thromboxane A2 receptors in habitual smokers

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease but its effect on platelet aggregability and particularly on TxA2 platelet metabolism is controversial. In present study TxA2 platelet receptors of 8 male clinically healthy habitual smokers (more than 20 cig./day) aged 30-55 (44 +/- 6 years) and of 9 age matched healthy controls were evaluated. Platelet TxA2 receptors were investigated by a radioligand binding method employing 125I-PTA-OH, a radio-iodinated hydroxy derivative of the 13-azapinane thromboxane antagonist (ONO 11120). Binding studies evidentiated a single class of specific high affinity receptors for the TxA2 analogue. In non smokers 990 + 220 receptors/platelet (rec/plt) with a dissociation constant (kd) of 22 +/- 11 nM were found. Smokers had a significantly larger number of TxA2 platelet receptors (1268 +/- 190 rec/plt p less than 0.01). No differences in the receptor affinity was found (23 +/- 6 nM, ns). Those changes could contribute to the high responsiveness of platelet from smokers to external aggregating stimuli.