title: Aggregation of human platelets by acidic mucopolysaccharide extracted from Stichopus japonicus Selenka.
abstract: The acidic mucopolysaccharide extracted from sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus Selenka) (SJAMP) has been shown to cause platelets to aggregate. Using citrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP), washed platelets and formaldehyde-fixed platelets from humans, we investigated the effects of platelet inhibitors and various plasmas and their fractions on SJAMP-induced platelet aggregation. It was found that the lowest concentration of SJAMP required for the aggregation of human platelets was about 0.4 micrograms/ml and the magnitude of aggregation induced by SJAMP was concentration dependent. The platelets were aggregated by SJAMP at 10 micrograms/ml in 25 out of 28 (89%) normal subjects tested. Platelet inhibitors such as PGE1, aspirin, indomethacin, apyrase, antimycin, 2-deoxy-D-glucose and EDTA inhibited by 70 to 100% the aggregation induced by SJAMP. Washed platelets alone were not aggregated by SJAMP. In the presence of fibrinogen, washed platelets were aggregated by SJAMP but formaldehyde-fixed platelets were not. These data indicate that the SJAMP-induced human platelet aggregation requires extracellular calcium, fibrinogen, and energy metabolism. The second phase of aggregation is dependent upon the release of ADP, and cyclooxygenase pathway.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Miami, Florida 33125.
authors.forename: J Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012616:Sea Cucumbers
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors