The accumulation of guanethidine by human blood platelets.

1. When human blood platelets were incubated aerobically in plasma containing 2 x 10(-7) to 10(-3)M radioactive guanethidine for 10 min to 6 hr, the drug was accumulated against a concentration gradient until concentration ratios (platelet/plasma) of up to 80:1 were obtained.2. The decline in rate of uptake after 3 hr appeared to result from a decrease in platelet viability, because accumulation was reduced by prolonged incubation before addition of guanethidine.3. Uptake was energy-dependent because it was inhibited by cold and ouabain.4. Sodium ions were essential for guanethidine uptake and retention of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).5. Accumulation was inhibited by 5-HT, desipramine, cocaine, dexamphetamine, bretylium, tyramine and noradrenaline; bethanidine, p-chlorophenylalanine and (-)-alpha-methyldopa were inactive.6. Guanethidine was tightly bound to platelets, only 10% being lost from labelled cells during 60 min incubation in drug-free plasma; but efflux was increased by addition of amphetamine.7. The binding sites for guanethidine seemed to be different from those for 5-HT since guanethidine accumulation was independent of 5-HT levels, and neither guanethidine uptake or release were affected by reserpine.8. Guanethidine was not metabolized by platelets or plasma in vitro.9. We consider that, if our results regarding uptake, binding and release of guanethidine are confirmed in vivo, and also found to apply to other pharmacologically active agents, then the eventual loss of a platelet-bound substance may increase pharmacological action by raising plasma levels.