Response of blood platelets to Proteus mirabilis lipopolysaccharide.

The effects of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Proteus mirabilis on the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the generation of superoxide radicals (O2) by pig blood platelets were studied in vitro. The effect of LPS on TBARS formation in platelets was dependent on the concentration of endotoxin. LPS at concentrations above 0.1 microg/10(8) platelets caused the production of TBARS concomitant with the generation of superoxide radicals. The responses of platelets to LPS suggest that endotoxin, like thrombin (a strong platelets agonist), stimulates an enzymatic cascade of platelet arachidonate via cyclooxygenase and produces thromboxane A2 (TXA2) concomitant with malonyldialdehyde (MDA).