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Biomedical subjects

M A Packham

Publications and source records attributed to M A Packham.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Properties of washed human platelets.

We have shown previously that washed human platelets resuspended in Tyrode solution containing albumin and apyrase maintain their disc shape and their ability to aggregate upon the addition of low concentration of ADP, providing fibrinogen is added to the suspending medium. We have now examined their responses to other aggregating and release-inducing agents. Collagen, arachidonate, thrombin, immune serum globulin, the ionophore A23, 187 and phytohaemagglutinin from Phaseolus vulgaris caused aggregation and release of granule contents. The response to adrenaline was variable. Serotonin caused the platelets to change shape but no aggregation or release occurred. Addition of a small amount of plasma was necessary for ristocetin-induced aggregation. Polylysine caused immediate platelet-to-platelet adherence with little or no release of granule contents. Responses to collagen or thrombin were greater in a modified medium containing magnesium but no calcium; in this medium, aggregation caused by ADP or polylysine was followed by the release of granule contents whereas these agents caused aggregation without release in a medium with both calcium and magnesium. When protein was omitted from the suspending medium, platelet aggregation in response to ADP was variable. In this medium, collagen and thrombin caused more extensive release than in the albumin-containing medium. Aggregation by polylysine was accompanied by release and extensive lysis in the protein-free medium. Thus, the composition of the final resuspending medium has a major effect on the responses of washed human platelets to aggregating agents.

Arachidonic Acids↗

Effects of cephalothin and penicillin G on platelet function in vitro.

High concentrations of cephalothin or penicillin G inhibit a number of the functions of human or rabbit platelets in citrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and in suspensions of washed platelets. The reactions shown to be inhibited are: ADP-induced shape change and the primary and secondary phases of aggregation and release induced by ADP or adrenaline in human cirtated PRP; release and aggregation of washed human platelets exposed to collagen, thrombin, vasopressin, or the ionophore A 23,187; aggregation of washed human platelets exposed to phytohaemagglutinin from Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA) or polylysine; release induced by concanavalin A or PHA in suspensions of washed platelets from rabbits; platelet adherence to a collagen-coated surface or to the damaged intimal surface of the rabbit aorta; platelet factor 3 availability; lysis of rabbit platelets by an antiserum directed against them; and clot retraction. Neither antibiotic affected serotonin-induced aggregation; a high concentration of cephalothin slightly inhibited the initial rate of serotonin uptake. Penicilloic acid showed about half the inhibitory effect of penicillin G on ADP-induced aggregation. In citrated human platelet-rich plasma, ampicillin and oxacillin inhibited ADP-induced aggregation to the same extent as similar concentrations of penicillin G; in suspensions of washed platelets, however, ampicillin was less inhibitory than penicillin G or oxacillin. Platelet ultrastructure, assessed by transmission electron microscopy, was not visibly altered. Evidence that the antibiotics become bound to platelets is the finding that platelets incubated with the antibiotics ans resuspended in fresh media showed less response to aggregating agents compared with control platelets. Penicillin G and related antibiotics may be inhibitory because they coat the platelet surface. Their effects on platelet functions are probably responsible for excessive bleeding and increased bleeding times observed in patients and volunteers receiving high doses of these antibiotics.

Antibodies↗