The antiplatelet activity of tetramethylpyrazine is mediated through activation of NO synthase

Citation
Jr. Sheu et al., The antiplatelet activity of tetramethylpyrazine is mediated through activation of NO synthase, LIFE SCI, 67(8), 2000, pp. 937-947
Citations number
32
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
LIFE SCIENCES
ISSN journal
00243205 → ACNP
Volume
67
Issue
8
Year of publication
2000
Pages
937 - 947
Database
ISI
SICI code
0024-3205(20000714)67:8<937:TAAOTI>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
Tetramethylpyrazine (TMPZ) is an active ingredient of a Chinese herbal medi cine (Ligusticum walchii Franchat). In this study, TMPZ (50-200 mu M) signi ficantly increased production of nitrate and cyclic GMP in human platelets within a 15-min incubation period. TMPZ concentration-dependently inhibited intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (5 mu g/ml). Furthermore, TMPZ concentration (50 and 200 mu M)- and time (1 5 and 30 min)-dependently triggered endothelial-type constitutive nitric ox ide synthase (ccNOS) protein expression in human platelets. These results i ndicated that TMPZ at micromolar concentrations stimulated nitric oxide pro duction in human platelets via a novel mechanism that activated ccNOS prote in expression. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.