Cytotoxic effect of activated platelets on endothelial cells.
Modern science has made clear the important roles of endothelial cells in both physiological and biochemical functions of vessel wall and their impairment initiate the process of atherosclerotic changes. Activated platelets also injure endothelial cells which were characterized with energy discharge, the decrease of cAMP content, the Ca++ entry, and dysfunction of No production. These data suggest the protection of endothelial cells from the injury could be the important protective factor from atherosclerosis. From this point of view, antiplatelet therapy is not only for antithrombotic but also for endothelial cell protective therapy.
Numano
F
F
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.
Kishi
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000502:physiology*
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000242:Cyclic AMP