title: Effects of the co-polymer surfactant, Pluronic F-68, on platelet aggregation in human whole blood.
abstract: The effects have been studied of Pluronic F-68 on platelet aggregation in human whole blood. The median spontaneous platelet aggregation in normal blood (n = 15) was 18.4% [interquartile range (IQ) = 10.5-24.2%]. Commercial grade Pluronic F-68 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced platelet aggregation at 7.3 microM (median = 8.4%, IQ = 3.9-13.4; n = 12) and almost eliminated aggregation at concentrations of > 58 microM (median = 2.0%, IQ = 0.0-3.5). Similar results were obtained with a silica gelpurified Pluronic F-68 fraction (n = 3). Pluronic F-68 also accelerated the rate of platelet dis-aggregation in blood treated with 0.3, 1.0 or 3.0 mM adenosine di-phosphate. These results suggest that the therapeutic effects of Pluronic F-68 in ischaemic injury may be due, in part, to inhibition of platelet aggregation in the microcirculation. The beneficial effects of tissue perfusion with oxygen-carrying perfluorochemical emulsions, containing Pluronic F-68, may also involve direct effects of the surfactant on platelets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, University of Nottingham, U.K.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heptinstall
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D011060:Poloxalene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011108:Polymers; D012016:Reference Values; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D011060:Poloxalene