Effect of Sulphinpyrazone (SP) Aspirin (ASA) and Dipyridamole (DP) on Plateletvessel Wall Interaction after Oral Administration to Rabbits
Clinical trials of anti-platelet drugs have suggested that they may be useful in the prevention of thrombotic disease. While such drugs inhibit platelet function, those which act on cyclooxygenase also reduce PGI2 synthesis and may interfere with tne natural antithrombotic properties of the vessel wall. We studied the effects of SP, ASA and OP ex vivo on the platelet-vessel wall interaction. Rabbits were dosed by mouth with drug (at about twice the weight-adjusted human dose) or placebo for 5 days, then exsanguinated and aortas removed. Washed platelets prepared from the blood were labelled with 51Cr. and their adhesion to everted aortapr epared from treated or control rabbits was measured in a perfusion device. PGI2-like activity in aortic rings was assayed by its inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation to ADP. Adhesion of platelets to aort as from SP- treated rabbits was i ncreased (p < 0.025), PGI2 - like activity was partially inhibited, but over all adhesion of SP-treated platelets to aor tas f rom SP-treated animals reduced by 30% (p < 0.02). Adhesion to aortas of ASA- treated rabbits was sliahtly inc r ea=-.ed (p > 0 . 1) , PGI 2 - l ike act ivi ty abolished , and no overall reduc tion in platelet adhesion seen. DP had no effecton adhesion or PGI-like activity. These results support the evidence that cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors reduce the inherent resistance of the vessel wall to platelet adhesion. However with SP, inhibitory effects on platelets appear to be more important.