Platelet release reaction and intracellular cGMP

Enhanced cAMP concentrations inhibit the aggregation and release reaction of isolated human platelets and platelet-rich plasma to all known inducing agents. An opposing role for cGMP in this phenomenon has been proposed by some but not by others, and the function of cGMP in this secretory process is unclear. To further elucidate the role of cGMP in the release reaction, the effect of increased concentrations of this cyclic nucleotide on ¹⁴C-serotonin release was evaluated using isolated human platelets and highly purified human thrombin or commercially available bovine thrombin. Several recently described stimulators of guanylate cyclase, including sodium nitroprusside, sodium azide, nitrosoguanidines, and ascorbic acid, were found to markedly augment platelet cGMP levels. Enhanced platelet cGMP concentrations produced by these drugs or by the exogenous addition of cGMP and its analogues neither caused these cells to secrete nor modulated the thrombin-induced serotonin release reaction. The inhibition of serotonin release by increased cAMP concentrations was not counteracted by increased cGMP levels. Platelet cGMP concentrations were unaltered by thrombin. These data indicate that cGMP is not an obligatory signal or a modulator of the thrombin-induced platelet release reaction.