Related Experiment Videos
Activation of human platelets by cocaine
A D Kugelmass1, A Oda, K Monahan
1Charles A. Dana Research Institute, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215.
Circulation
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Cocaine activates human platelets, potentially contributing to arterial thrombosis. This platelet activation occurs in whole blood and is enhanced by cocaine, even at low concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cocaine use is linked to arterial thrombosis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
- The pro-thrombotic effects of cocaine may involve platelet activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether cocaine directly activates human platelets.
- To explore the mechanism of cocaine-induced platelet activation.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze whole blood samples.
- Platelet activation was assessed by measuring fibrinogen binding and P-selectin expression.
- The effects of cocaine on platelet serotonin uptake were also evaluated.
Main Results:
- Cocaine induced significant increases in platelet-associated fibrinogen and P-selectin expression in a dose-dependent manner.
- Cocaine-induced platelet activation was observed in whole blood but less consistently in isolated platelets.
- Cocaine enhanced platelet responses to agonists like ADP and epinephrine.
- Cocaine inhibited platelet uptake of radiolabeled serotonin.
Conclusions:
- Cocaine activates individual platelets in whole blood at clinically relevant concentrations.
- Cocaine enhances platelet responsiveness to physiological agonists.
- Cocaine-induced platelet activation is a potential mechanism contributing to arterial thrombosis in cocaine users.