We have previously shown that BCNU inhibits human platelet glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) prior to inhibiting platelet function; since thromboxane production is important in platelet function, we evaluated the effect of BCNU induced inhibition of GSSG-R on platelet thromboxane production.Control platelet GSSG-R activity was 0.091 ]jmoles NAD(P)H oxidized min-1lmg-1 protein at 37°C (±0.015 S.D.; n=9); inhibition was detectable at 10-7M% BCNU (70% of control) with a >90% inhibition at and above 10-5M BCNU. Platelet aggregation in response to 1.5×10-3M Arachidonic acid (AA), 10 μM epinephrine, 6 μg/ml equine collagen and 3 μM ADP were inhibited at 10-5M BCNU and abolished at 10-4 BCNU.BCNU (10-3M) did not affect the increase in oxygen consumption induced by AA. Using the rabbit aorta superfusion bioassay for thromboxane A2 (TXA2), threshold concentrations of AA in 10-5 and 10-4 BCNU platelets resulted in an increased measure of aortic tension 13.5 ± 9.4 mm S.D. (n=6) and 23.2 ± 9.5 mm respectively, compared with control values of 4.5 ± 2.4. Acetylsalicylic acid (5 × l0-4M) inhibited the contraction: 1.7 ± 1.1 (n=5). The conversion of 14C AA to thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and PGE2, as measured by radio TLC, was not decreased in BCNU treated platelets. There is a significant increase in TXB2 (p<0.05;n=4) and in the ratio of TXB2:PGE2 in platelets treated with 10-4M BCNU and 10-3M imidazole when compared to platelets treated with imidazole alone.In conclusion BCNU induced inhibition of platelet GSSG-R and platelet function occurs despite preservation of thromboxane production
Activation of thromboxane A2 receptors induces orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 expression and stimulates cell proliferation in human lung cancer cells
