title: Role of Calcium in Platelet Activation: Novel Insights and Pharmacological Implications.
abstract: Platelets are involved in haemostasis and vessel integrity under physiologic conditions, and in thrombosis under disease states. Platelet activation upon stimulation with various agonists in vitro and in vivo, is strongly dependent on an increase of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. The latter results from Ca(2+) release by the dense tubular system (DTS), and Ca(2+) entry from the extracellular space. Recent advances in identification of the molecular mechanisms involved in these processes are described in this review, along with potential targets for pharmacologic interventions in disease states.
authors.forename: Periklis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Davlouros
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Xanthopoulou
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mparampoutis
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannopoulos
authors.forename: Spyridon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deftereos
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Patras University Hospital, Rion 26504, Patras, Greece. dalex@med.upatras.gr.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alexopoulos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D002118:Calcium