Thromb Haemost 1982; 48(01): 049-053
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1657214
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation by Ethanol in Vitro Shows Specificity for Aggregating Agent Used and Is Influenced by Platelet Lipid Composition

C G Fenn
The Department of Pharmacology, King's College, London, U. K.
,
J M Littleton
The Department of Pharmacology, King's College, London, U. K.
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 24 August 1981

Accepted 18 May 1982

Publication Date:
13 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

Ethanol at physiologically tolerable concentrations inhibited platelet aggregation in vitro in a relatively specific way, which may be influenced by platelet membrane lipid composition. Aggregation to collagen, calcium ionophore A23187 and thrombin (low doses) were often markedly inhibited by ethanol, adrenaline and ADP responses were little affected, and aggregation to exogenous arachidonic acid was actually potentiated by ethanol. Aggregation to collagen, thrombin and A23187 was inhibited more by ethanol in platelets enriched with saturated fatty acids than in those enriched with unsaturated fats. Platelets enriched with cholesterol showed increased sensitivity to ADP, arachidonate and adrenaline but this increase in cholesterol content did not appear to influence the inhibition by ethanol of platelet responses. The results suggest that ethanol may inhibit aggregation by an effect on membrane fluidity and/or calcium mobilization resulting in decreased activity of a membrane-bound phospholipase.