A comparison of the inhibitory effects of prostacyclin and carbacyclin on platelet adhesion to collagen.

The effect of carbacyclin, a chemically stable analogue of prostacyclin (PGI2), on the adhesion of platelets to collagen has been examined. The compound was compared to PGI2 which is unstable and rapidly hydrolysed to the inactive derivative, 6-oxo-PGF 1 alpha. The adhesion of 111Indium-labelled human platelets to collagen in the absence of platelet aggregation and secretion was measured. The cAMP level in the platelets was also monitored. Both PGI2 and carbacyclin inhibited platelet-collagen adhesion and caused a rise in the platelet cAMP level. Carbacyclin was approximately 15-fold less effective than PGI2, however, its effect was longer lasting, remaining constant for at least 30 minutes.