Increase in 12-lipoxygenase activity in platelets of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

12-Lipoxygenase activity in platelets of spontaneously hypertensive rats was investigated. Enzyme activity was measured in the absence and the presence of reduced glutathione. In both assay conditions, 12-lipoxygenase activity in platelets of spontaneously hypertensive rats was significantly higher than that in platelets of normotensive rats. Since 12-L-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), a 12-lipoxygenase product of arachidonic acid in platelets, has been reported to be a potent chemoattractant for aortic smooth muscle cells, increase in biosynthesis of 12-HETE in platelets of spontaneously hypertensive rats might contribute to the explanation of pathogenesis of vascular disorder commonly found in hypertension patients.