Effects of nitroblue tetrazolium and vitamin E on platelet ultrastructure, aggregation, and secretion.

All agents capable of triggering the platelet release reaction also stimulate prostaglandin biosynthesis in these cells. Information concerning the endoperoxides, thromboxanes, and more stable metabolites generated by the action of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase on arachidonic acid has accumulated rapidly, but little is known about the preliminary steps in the cleavage and preparation of arachidonic acid for insertion into the enzymatic pathways of prostaglandin synthesis. Studies in this laboratory have shown that the combination of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and vitamin E which prevents oxygenation of arachidonic acid to a free radical also blocks platelet prostaglandin biosynthesis. The present study has evaluated the influence of NBT, vitamin E, and the combination of NBT and vitamin E on the fine structure and biochemistry of platelets during incubation, and the effects of these compounds on the aggregation and secretion of platelets stimulated by collagen, thrombin, epinephrine, and ADP. Results of the study demonstrate that NBT and vitamin E, rather than injuring platelets, appear to protect them during incubation. Together NBT and vitamin E blocked aggregation by epinephrine, collagen, and thrombin, but permitted a small first wave stimulated by ADP. Both ADP and thrombin induced shape change, pseudopod formation, and limited degrees of internal contraction in vitamin E-NBT-treated platelets, whereas epinephrine and collagen failed to significantly alter discoid form. This pattern of response to aggregating agents was identical to reactions observed in platelets pretreated with aspirin and indomethacin, both potent inhibitors of platelet prostaglandin synthesis. In addition, NBT-vitamin E virtually blocked the first wave of aggregation which is not affected by aspirin and indomethacin. The findings support the concept that conversion of arachidonic acid to an activated state is an important step in prostaglandin synthesis and that electron transfer or oxidation-reduction reactions are intimately involved in the development of platelet stickiness.