title: Platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether): thromboxane-independent synergism with adrenaline on human platelets and recent insights into its mode of action.
abstract: The mode of action of PAF-acether on human and rabbit plasma-free platelets is reviewed. PAF-acether and adrenaline synergize to trigger aggregation of human platelets, and this synergism is refractory to aspirin. When degranulated rabbit platelets are stimulated with PAF-acether, with thrombin or with the snake venom component convulxin, aggregation is obtained in the absence of detectable secretion. Collagen-induced aggregation is reduced, and is suppressed when aspirin is applied to the degranulated platelets. The formation of PAF-acether by platelets, and their stimulation by PAF-acether itself, should be added to the newly recognized pathways for platelet stimulation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D013931:Thromboxanes / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D013931:Thromboxanes; D004837:Epinephrine