Interaction of D-LSD with blood platelets of rabbits: shape change and specific binding

In blood platelets of rabbits, the shape change-inducing effect of D-lysergic acid diethylamide (D-LSD) has been compared with the D-LSD-binding. D-LSD, but not L-LSD, caused a shape change reaction (EC50 1.3 x 10(-9) M) which was inhibited by various 5-HT antagonists (methergoline and neuroleptic drugs), butaclamol showing marked stereospecificity. Strong inhibitors of 5 HT uptake were only weak in counteracting the D-LSD-induced shape change. Furthermore, D-[3H]LSD bound to platelets at a single saturable, high affinity, stereoselective site [Kd = (31.1 +/- 3.3) x 10(-9) M; Bmax = 28.9 +/- 2.7 fmols per 10(8) platelets]. This binding was strongly antagonized by D-LSD and methergoline and less by the hallucinogenic drugs, psilocin, bufotenin and N'N'-dimethyltryptamine. L-LSD an 5 HT, inhibitors of 5 HT uptake and neuroleptics, especially spiroperidol and butaclamol, had only a weak antagonistic effect. The latter showed stereospecificity. It is concluded that 1) the shape change reaction caused by D-LSD in platelets is mediated by the specific 5 HT-receptor, 2) the sites mediating the D-LSD-induced shape change reaction are not identical with those responsible for D-[3H]LSD-binding and both these sites are different from the 5 HT-transport sites and 3) with respect to D-LSD-binding sites, platelets and neurons are not exactly identical.