Formamidine-mediated inhibition of rat platelet aggregation

The formamidine pesticide chlordimeform (CDF) was a strong inhibitor of aggregation of rat platelets induced by collagen and arachidonic acid and was a weak inhibitor of that induced by ADP. With the exception of 4-chloro-o-formotoluidide which was an inhibitor of arachidonic acid-induced aggregation only, the CDF metabolites were without discernible effect on aggregation induced by these agents. Amitraz, another formamidine pesticide, inhibited arachidonic acid-induced aggregation but was without effect on that induced by collagen or ADP. Inhibition of collagen- and/or arachidonic acid-induced aggregation by formamidines was concentration-dependent. Although platelets underwent shape change, primary aggregation was markedly inhibited, and secondary aggregation was abolished in some cases. CDF, its two N-desmethyl metabolites, and octopamine, but not amitraz, caused significantly elevated levels of cyclic AMP in platelet rich plasma as compared to controls; however, this effect did not fully account for the action of formamidines on aggregation.