Summary
Subendothelium of rabbit aorta and fibrillar collagen were exposed to citrated human
or rabbit blood which was circulated through a perfusion chamber under flow conditions
similar to those found in arteries. The resulting platelet adhesion and subsequent
formation of platelet micro thrombi on the exposed surfaces were measured in 0.8 μm
thick sections by a morphometry technique using light microscopy.
Removal of plasma ADP by the substrate-enzyme combination CP-CPK (creatine phosphate-creatine
phosphokinase; 3 mM and 90 U/ml blood) did not affect the initial attachment and spreading
of platelets on subendothelium, whereas platelet thrombus formation was strongly inhibited.
On free collagen fibrils CP-CPK was much less inhibitory on platelet thrombus formation
but platelet adhesion again was not affected. It is concluded that platelet aggregation
induced by thrombogenic surfaces in the presence of arterial blood flow is at least
partially governed by ADP released from adhering platelets. Platelet adhesion to the
examined surfaces, however, does not seem to be mediated by plasma ADP.