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Platelets, endothelium and blood vessel wall
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.
Aggregating platelets cause contraction of vascular smooth muscle, because they release serotonin and thromboxane A2. If the platelets aggregate in a blood vessel with intact intima, the platelet-products cause endothelium-dependent relaxation of the underlying smooth muscle. Hence, the presence of an intact intima considerably reduces the vasospastic response to platelet-aggregation. The major platelet products which trigger endothelium-dependent relaxations are the adenine nucleotides and serotonin. The ability of the endothelium to prevent platelet-induced vasospasm is augmented after chronic intake of cod liver oil, but is reduced after previous intimal injury.
Aggregating platelets cause contraction of vascular smooth muscle, because they release serotonin and thromboxane A2. If the platelets aggregate in a blood vessel with intact intima, the platelet-products cause endothelium-dependent relaxation of the underlying smooth muscle. Hence, the presence of an intact intima considerably reduces the vasospastic response to platelet-aggregation. The major platelet products which trigger endothelium-dependent relaxations are the adenine nucleotides and serotonin. The ability of the endothelium to prevent platelet-induced vasospasm is augmented after chronic intake of cod liver oil, but is reduced after previous intimal injury.