Activation of Na+/H+ exchange in human platelets stimulated by thrombin and a phorbol ester

We have investigated changes in cytoplasmic pH (pHi) in activated human platelets, using the fluorescent probe 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Stimulation of platelets by thrombin or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate increased pHi by about 0.11 pH unit above the resting value. This increase in pHi depended on the presence of external Na+ and was inhibited by ethylisopropylamiloride. The data suggest that protein kinase C mediates Na+/H+ exchange in human platelets.