Inhibition by forskolin of cytosolic calcium rise, shape change and aggregation in quin2-loaded human platelets.

The adenylate cyclase stimulator forskolin was used to study the inhibitory effects of elevated cAMP on the activation of washed human platelets loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator quin2. In the presence of 10 microM isobutylmethylxanthine forskolin inhibited rises in [Ca2+]i evoked by thrombin and platelet-activating factor (PAF) due to both Ca2+ influx and release from internal stores with similar potency. Aggregation evoked by thrombin and PAF was suppressed whilst partial shape-change persisted, even in the absence of a measurable rise in [Ca2+]i. Forskolin did not affect the rise in [Ca2+]i evoked by Ca2+ ionophore; aggregation was suppressed but shape-change persisted.