Abstract
1 We have studied the effects on platelet behaviour of ingestion of the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor dazoxiben (UK 37248), by healthy subjects, and compared the results with the effects of a low dose of aspirin (a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor), and of a combination of dazoxiben and a low dose of aspirin. 2 Dazoxiben ingestion prevented the release reaction induced by sodium arachidonate (NaAA) in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from some individuals ("responders") but not in PRP from others ("non-responders"). In vitro testing of PRP from the same subjects, incubated with 10(-4)M dazoxiben, correlated with the effect of dazoxiben ingestion on NaAA-induced release. Platelets from "non-responders" tended to undergo a more extensive release reaction than platelets from "responders" even in the absence of any drug although there was some overlap between the results in the two groups. Platelets from "non-responders" required significantly lower concentrations of NaAA to induce release reaction than platelets from "responders". Platelets from "responders" and "non-responders" did not differ in the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) produced or in the effectiveness with which dazoxiben ingestion inhibited MDA production. 3 Low dose aspirin had comparable effects on NaAA-induced release to dazoxiben, but in contrast to dazoxiben, the effectiveness of low-dose aspirin in inhibiting NaAA induced release reaction was related to its effectiveness in inhibiting MDA generation. 4 Neither dazoxiben nor low-dose aspirin significantly affected the release reaction induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), although both drugs significantly inhibited adrenaline-induced release. 5 A combination of dazoxiben and low dose aspirin had a greater effect on platelet behaviour in response to NaAA, ADP, and adrenaline than either drug alone.