Superoxide anions enhance platelet adhesion and aggregation.

1. Superoxide dismutase (SOD, 60 u ml-1) or ferricytochrome c (70 microM) significantly inhibited thrombin-stimulated platelet adhesion to gelatin-coated plastic, whereas catalase (1000 u ml-1) or mannitol (1 mM) had no effect. 2. The platelet aggregation induced by low concentrations of thrombin (causing less than 45% maximal change in light transmission) was inhibited by SOD. Catalase or mannitol had no effect on platelet aggregation. 3. Pyrogallol (an O2- generator) enhanced both platelet adhesion to gelatin-coated plastic and platelet aggregation induced by thrombin; this enhancement was neutralized by SOD. 4. These results indicate that O2- increase both platelet adhesion and aggregation, whereas other free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radicals are not involved.