Aggregation of human blood platelets by vasopressin.

Synthetic [8-arginine]-vasopressin, [8-lysine]-vasopressin, [8-ornithine]-vasopressin or [2-phenylalanine, 8-lysine]-vasopressin aggregated human platelets in heparinized platelet-rich plasma. The lowest effective concentrations (1-4mU/ml) caused a primary transient aggregation, while higher concentrations also caused a secondary irreversible aggregation. Vasopressin was almost inactive in citrated platelet-rich plasma but caused aggregation in recalcified citrated or native material. Vasopressin also aggregated washed human platelets suspended in buffered saline, if fibrinogen and either Ca2+ or Mg2+ ions were present. Ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid inhibited aggregation completely but only after preincubation with the platelets, suggesting that platelet-bound calcium was also required. Phosphocreatine with creatine phosphokinase partially inhibited primary aggregation of platelets by vasopressin and prevented secondary aggregation, which suggests that release of platelet ADP contributed to these processes. Concentrations of vasopressin causing irreversible aggregation released small amounts of 14C from platelets containing serotonin-14C. Platelet aggregation induced by vasopressin was inhibited by adenosine, prostaglandin E1, N6,2'-0-dibutyryl cyclic 3',5'-AMP, caffeine, imipramine, or N-ethylmaleimide. Adenosine and prostaglandin E each inhibited the action of vasopressin much more powerfully than that of ADP and, therefore, cannot act solely by inhibiting the effects of the ADP released. In several respects the effect of vasopressin on blood platelets resembled its action on smooth muscle.