title: In vitro adrenaline and collagen-induced mobilization of platelet calcium and its inhibition by naftopidil, doxazosin and nifedipine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to obtain further information regarding the modes of action of doxazosin, naftopidil and nifedipine on platelet function.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an in vitro study of drug influences on adrenaline and collagen-induced mobilization of platelet calcium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the presence of fibrinogen (300 micrograms ml-1) both collagen (5 micrograms ml-1) and adrenaline (16 microM) stimulated the aggregation of washed platelets. Collagen induced a transient rise (+4.97 +/- 0.63 microM) in platelet Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, as measured using the photoprotein aequorin, which coincided with the onset of aggregation. Adrenaline induced a smaller rise (+3.6 +/- 0.96 microM) which, however, occurred after the onset of aggregation. Naftopidil, an alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of collagen-induced Ca2+ mobilization, maximum inhibition (22.9 +/- 4%, P < 0.05) occurring with 40 microM naftopidil. The inhibition of Ca2+ mobilization was not reflected by a concentration-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation, although 40 microM naftopidil produced statistically significant inhibition (23.3 +/- 11.7%, P < 0.05). The adrenaline-induced rise in [Ca2+]i was inhibited dose dependently by naftopidil (e.g. 40 microM naftopidil, 100 +/- 0%, P < 0.05), as was aggregation (40 microM naftopidil, 100 +/- 0%, P < 0.05). Doxazosin, another alpha 1-adrenoreceptor blocker, inhibited Ca2+ mobilization induced by collagen to similar extents as for naftopidil (30 microM doxazosin, 17.4 +/- 2.5%, P < 0.05), but did not inhibit platelet aggregation. It also inhibited the adrenaline-induced rise in [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner (30 microM doxazosin, 37.6 +/- 13.7%, P < 0.05), significant inhibitions of platelet aggregation also being produced (30 microM, 49.6 +/- 17.2%, P < 0.05). As expected, the calcium channel blocker nifedipine produced concentration-dependent inhibitions of both collagen-induced Ca2+ mobilization (e.g. 28 microM nifedipine, 47.8 +/- 2.7%, P < 0.05) and aggregation (28 microM, 55.1 +/- 9.2%, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that the alpha 1-adrenoreceptor blockers, naftopidil and doxazosin, inhibit Ca2+ mobilization, this mechanism being possibly the means whereby these drugs inhibit platelet aggregation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University College London Medical School, Rayne Institute, UK.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Alarayyed
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Prichard
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Betteridge
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000331:Aequorin / Q000737:chemistry; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017292:Doxazosin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008875:Middle Aged; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009281:Naphthalenes; D010879:Piperazines; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000331:Aequorin; D005340:Fibrinogen; D003094:Collagen; D009543:Nifedipine; D017292:Doxazosin; C064357:naftopidil; D002118:Calcium; D004837:Epinephrine