The effect of ethanol on thromboxane synthesis by blood platelets.

The synthesis of thromboxane A2 (measured as TXB2) by blood platelets in the presence of ethanol and in platelets from animals dosed chronically with ethanol has been examined. Neither acute nor chronic exposure of guinea pig platelets to ethanol altered thromboxane synthesis. Measurement of total products indicated that neither fatty acid cyclooxygenase nor platelet lipoxygenase was influenced by blood ethanol levels generally associated with intoxication. In human platelets, very high levels of ethanol inhibited thromboxane synthesis in a dose related manner. These results are contrary to reports that high doses of ethanol stimulate arachidonate cyclooxygenation.