Prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2, PGI2) inhibits platelet adhesion and thrombus formation on subendothelium

Prostaglandin I2 (prostacyclin, PGI2), a substance synthesized in the wall of blood vessels, has been previously shown to inhibit the aggregation of platelets in stirred platelet-rich plasma. We used a method in which segments of deendothelialized rabbit aorta are perfused at arterial shear rates with human blood and found that both platelet adhesion and thrombus formation on subendothelium was inhibited in blood containing 10 nM PGI2. PGI2 appears to reduce adhesion by inhibiting platelet spreading. These findings suggest that PGI2 could regulate the deposition of platelets on vascular surfaces.