The effect of irradiation on platelet arachidonic acid metabolism.

Irradiation of platelets in vitro to 2000 rads did not alter arachidonic acid metabolism through the cyclooxygenase pathway. Production of platelet thromboxane B2 and 12-hydroxy-5,8-10-heptadecatrienoic acid remained similar in control and paired irradiated platelets. In paired samples the platelet lipoxygenase metabolite 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid was significantly increased postirradiation to 42 +/- 2.8 percent when compared to a control value of 34.1 +/- 3.6 percent (p less than 0.02). Although this latter product has been demonstrated to be chemotactic for neutrophils, its role in platelet function has not been specifically determined.