The effect of phospholipase C on rat blood platelets in vivo.

Rat blood platelets were treated with phospholipase C in vitro or phospholipase C was injected i.v. to rats. In both cases its effect on the functions of the platelets in vivo has been studied. No change was found in primary bleeding time or in platelet survival. Treatment with phospholipase C gave a moderate reduction of ADP-induced platelet aggregation in the pulmonary circulation whereas the aggregation induced by thrombin was unchanged. Iv. injection of phospholipase C caused a rapid, very moderate and transient increase of 51Cr-activity in the lungs without concomitant overt respiratory distress. A moderate increase in 51Cr-activity was noted in liver and kidney 24 and 48 h after injection of phospholipase C. This may be caused by a slightly increased leakage of 51Cr-labelled material from the platelets during exposure to phospholipase C.