Effects of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin on platelet activity.
In the present study, beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin were tested for their antiplatelet activity in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Blood samples were obtained from 15 healthy subjects. The results of the study show that these two endogenous opioids (200 pg/ml final concentration) reduce platelet aggregation when it is induced by ADP at low dose (0.5 microM). It is likely due to conformational changes on the platelet membrane that cause a non-specific decreased susceptibility to platelet-aggregating agonists.
Tirelli
A
A
Department of Haematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Second University of Naples, Italy.
Guastafierro
S
S
Annunziata
S
S
Guariglia
R
R
Coppola
L
L
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate