In vitro plateletutilization of (1-14C) arachidonic acid in normal humans of different age and sex and in acute myocardial infarction patients: A Comparative study for possible diagnostic purposes

Abstract

Age and sex related platelet biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxane B₂, prostaglandin endoperoxides, HHT and HETE was studied in normal human subjects and in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients (all males over 50 yr). The following results were obtained. 1. No significant difference was observed in the platelet biosynthesis of prostaglandins (F_2α, E₂, D₂ ), TxB₂ and HHT in normal subjects when values of these arachidonic acid metabolites were compared for different age groups and sex. 2. HETE formation in females was significantly more (p < 0.001) than that in males. 3. No significant difference was observed in the prostaglandin endoperoxide level (PGG₂, PGH₂ + PGF_2α) amongst different age groups and sex in the normal subjects and this was so when compared with AMI patients. 4. Significantly less TxB₂ was produced by platelets from the AMI patients compared to normal males over 50 years. 5. In AMI patients, platelets produced significantly more HHT (p < 0.005) and PGF_2α (p < 0.02) compared to normal males over 50 years. 6. A significantly reduced (p < 0.005) formation of HETE in the AMI patients compared to normal males (over 50 yr) was observed. A comparison of ratios between HHT, HETE and TxB₂ for normal males (over 50 yr) and AMI patients was made for their possible use in diagnostic purposes.

These results have been discussed in the light of the existing knowledge about the aggregation and antiaggregation properties of various AA metabolites.