Summary
Alcohol ingestion results in the formation of circulating microaggregates in the pig. To investigate the underlying mechanism, the effects of alcohol on platelet aggregation using a Born-aggregometer, was investigated. After incubating unstirred platelet rich plasma (PRP) with moderate concentrations of alcohol (175 mmol/l) the aggregation induced by collagen was reduced. This was probably due to platelet refractoriness caused by platelet ADP release. We could also demonstrate that high concentrations of alcohol (630 mmol/l) caused platelet release in stirred PRP. Release of ADP from red cells, after incubating unstirred whole blood with low concentrations of alcohol (17 mmol/l), was the probable explanation to the observed platelet refractoriness to ADP and collagen. Alcohol causing release of ADP from red cells is likely the cause of platelet aggregation in circulating blood and is probably the mechanism in formation of circulating platelet aggregates after alcohol ingestion.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bengmark S, Elmér O, Göransson G (1980) Circulating microaggregates after gastric administration of ethanol in the pig. Eur Surg Res 12:333–342
Born G, Cross M (1963) The aggregation of blood platelets. J Physiol (Lond) 168:178–195
Chin J, Goldstein D (1977) Drug tolerance in biomembranes: A spin label study of the effects of ethanol. Science 196:684–685
David J, Phillips P (1970) The effect of ethanol on human platelet aggregation in vitro. Atherosclerosis 11:473–477
Elmér O, Göransson G, Bengmark S (1977) Ethanol-induced microaggregate formation in pig and rabbit blood. An in vitro study. Thromb Haemost 37:344–350
Elmér O, Göransson G, Zoucas E (1981) Alcohol and blood loss. Lancet II:639
Elmér O, Bengmark S, Göransson G, Sundqvist K, Söderström N (1982) Acute portal hypertension after gastric administration of ethanol in the pig. Eur Surg Res 14:298–308
Hanks G, Casell B, Ray R, Chaplin H (1966) Further modification of the benzidine method for measurement of hemoglobin in plasma. J Lab Clin Med 56:486–498
Harrison M, Mitchell J (1966) The influence of red blood cells on platelet adhesiveness. Lancet II:1163–1164
Haut M, Cowan D (1974) The effect of ethanol on hemostatic properties of human blood platelets. Am J Med 56:22–33
Holme S, Holmsen H (1975) ADP-induced refractory state of platelets in vitro. Scand J Haematol 15:96–103
Holmsen H, Day HJ, Stormorken H (1969) The blood platelets release reaction. Scand J Haematol [Suppl] 8:3–26
Holmsen H (1977) Prostaglandin endoperoxide — thromboxane synthesis and dense granule secretion as positive feedback loops in the propagation of platelet responses during “The basic platelet reaction”. Thromb Haemast 38:1030–1041
Hovig T (1964) The effect of calcium and magnesium on rabbit platelet aggregation in vitro. Thromb Diath Haemorrh 12:179–200
Johnsson S, Fredell L, Shepard J, Tebo T, Chang C, Pederson H, v. Horn D (1967) Red blood cells, fibrin and platelets in haemostasis. In: Johnson S, Segers W (eds) Physiology of hemostasis and thrombosis. Thomas, Springfield, Ill., p 44
Kennedy P, Ware J, Horak J, Solis R (1981) Factors affecting the size of platelet aggregates in blood. Thromb Haemost 46:725–730
Mustard JF, Packham MA (1970) Factors influencing platelet function: Adhesion, release and aggregation. Pharmacol Rev 22:97–187
Nordensson N (1961) Klinisk morfologisk hematologi. Scandinavian University Books, Stockholm
Quintana RP, Lasslo A, Dugdale M, Goodin LL, Burkhardt EF (1980) Effects of ethanol and of other factors on ADP-induced aggregation of human blood platelets in vitro. Thromb Res 20:405–415
Schmid-Schönbein H, Wells R, Goldstone J (1969) Influence of deformibility of human red cells upon blood viscosity. Circ Res 25:131–143
Stuart M (1979) Ethanol-inhibited platelet prostaglandin synthesis in vitro. J Stud Alcohol 40:1–6
Vargaftig B, Chignard M, Benveniste J (1981) Present concepts on the mechanisms of platelet aggregation. Clin Pharmacol 30:263–271
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by the Swedish Cancer Society grant no. 98-B77-13XB77:133), the Maggie Stephen Foundation, and Pharmacia, Sweden
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Elmér, O., Göransson, G., Zoucas, E. et al. Effects of ethanol on platelet aggregation: An in vitro study. Res. Exp. Med. 182, 13–19 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01852282
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01852282