Recovery and survival in vivo of platelet concentrates prepared with prostaglandin E1.

In follow-up to previous studies showing that stimulators of adenylate cyclase inhibit the activation of platelets in platelet concentrates (PC), the posttransfusion recovery and survival of autologous platelets prepared and stored after the addition of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to platelet-rich plasma at a concentration of 1.3 X 10(-8) M were investigated. Six normal subjects were studied on the two occasions, using PC stored with and without PGE1 and radiolabeling with 51Cr. The mean recovery of platelets prepared with PGE1 (35.2 +/- 8.1%) was significantly lower (p less than 0.013) than that of routinely prepared platelet concentrates (46.3 +/- 9.4%). The mean life-spans of platelets prepared with and without PGE1 were 7.1 +/- 0.4 and 6.2 +/- 1.0 days, respectively (p = NS). Despite its ability to inhibit the activation of platelets during concentration and storage, prostaglandin E1 appears to reduce posttransfusion recovery of platelets significantly in this experimental model and cannot be recommended at this time as an adjunct for PC preparation.