Enhanced arachidonic acid and calcium metabolism in cholesteryl sulfate-enriched rat platelets

We previously found that cholesteryl sulfate (CS), a minor lipid constituent, is present in blood platelets and might influence platelet aggregation. In this study, we investigated whether CS modifies platelet arachidonic acid and calcium metabolism. In CS-loaded rat platelets, we found a potentiation of the arachidonate-induced aggregation, an increase in the thrombin-induced release of radiolabeled arachidonate preincorporated into platelet phospholipids and an increased formation of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase products. In addition, the calcium uptake in non-stimulated as well as in thrombin-stimulated CS-loaded platelets was enhanced. The above-mentioned effects were never observed with cholesterol, cholesteryl acetate, estrone and estrone sulfate. Although the precise determinants for the platelet CS concentration are not presently known, our findings might suggest a new role for CS as a modulator of the activity of these cells.