The action mechanism of the purified platelet aggregation principle of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom.

The minimal concentration of the platelet aggregation principle (Platelet Aggregoserpentin, PAS) necessary to induce platelet aggregation was 10 ng/ml, about one-hundredth of that of the crude venom. PAS induced the release of platelet factors 3 and 4 from platelets, but the released platelet factor 3 was easily inactivated by the anti-phospholipid effect of PAS. Pretreatment of platelets with neuraminidase potentiated PAS-induced platelet aggregation. PAS-induced platelet aggregation was independent on released ADP; it could occur in the ADP-removing systems, such as apyrase or a combination of phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate kinase. However, PAS-induced platelet aggregation could be inhibited by adenine nucleotides and adenosine. PAS-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by some anti-inflammatory agents, antimalarial drugs, local anesthetics, antihistamine and smooth muscle relaxants. After deaggregation of PAS-treated platelets, thrombin and sodium arachidonate could further induce platelet aggregation, but ADP and second dose of PAS could not. It is concluded that PAS-induced platelet aggregation is due to prostaglandin synthesis. Recent literatures on the mechanism of platelet aggregation were surveyed and the actions of PAS were discussed.