Effects of trapidil on thromboxane A2-induced aggregation of platelets, ischemic changes in heart and biosynthesis of thromboxane A2.

Trapidil inhibited the aggregation of rat platelets and the contraction of the isolated aortic strip of rabbit mainly caused by thromboxane A2, and the thromboxane A2 biosynthesis in rabbit platelets. The drug also reduced ischemic changes in ECG, the incidence of myocardial infarction, histopathological changes and a decrease in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and inhibited an increase in plasma thromboxane B2 and a decrease in plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha content in the animals with an experimental ischemic heart injury caused by the injection of thromboxane A2 into the coronary artery. These findings suggest that trapidil is a new type of a therapeutic agent for ischemic heart disease which not only dilates the coronary artery but also inhibits the actions and biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 and may promote the biosynthesis of prostaglandin I2.