title: Effects of calcium channel-blocking agents on platelet-osteogenic sarcoma interaction: platelet aggregation and electron microscopic findings.
abstract: A variety of tumors stimulate platelet activation. Because platelet activation may, in part, require calcium channel mobilization, we evaluated whether calcium channel blocking agents inhibit osteogenic sarcoma induced platelet aggregation. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) from normal subjects was incubated with one of four calcium channel-blocking agents: nifedipine, diltiazem, verapamil, or amlodopine, all 0-25 micrograms/ml, or diluent. Osteogenic sarcoma cells (2 or 4 x 10(6)/ml) were then added. Platelet aggregation was monitored by light transmission through PRP, and residual PRP was processed for electron microscopy. MG63 cells caused aggregation of PRP in most subjects (mean, 36 +/- 3%). Calcium channel-blocking agents (nifedipine greater than diltiazem greater than amlodopine greater than verapamil) caused partial inhibition of osteogenic sarcoma-induced platelet aggregation, at high concentrations only. Electron microscopy showed platelets aggregating to each other and to tumor cell membranes within 1-5 minutes. Changes in pattern of platelet clumping around tumor cells occurred when PRP was incubated with high concentration of diltiazem (50 micrograms). This study shows that calcium channel-blocking agents inhibit osteogenic sarcoma-induced platelet aggregation when used in high doses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lawson
mesh_terms: D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors