Platelets, acute inflammation and inflammatory mediators.

The anti-inflammatory activity of aspirin-like drugs could derive, at least in part, by inhibiting synthesis and release of prostaglandins or rabbit aorta-contracting substance from platelets. Indeed, aggregation of platelets and the consequent release of inflammatory mediators has been frequently evoked as a factor in the development of the inflammatory reaction. The participation of platelets in acute inflammation was tested in three types of trauma in rats rendered thrombocytopenic with anti-platelet serum. Oedema in response to carrageenin, anti-platelet serum or passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was no different from the controls in thrombocytopenic rats.