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Effect of ethanol on thromboxane and prostacyclin synthesis by fetal platelets and umbilical artery

Journal Article · · Life Sci.; (United States)

The effect of ethanol (10-500 mmol/1) on platelet thromboxane production and on vascular thromboxane and prostacyclin was studied in human fetal tissues. The release of thromboxane B/sub 2/ (a metabolite of thromboxane A/sub 2/) during thrombin-induced spontaneous aggregation of fetal platelets was inhibited by ethanol concentrations of 50 mmol/1 or higher. Ethanol at concentration from 100 mmol/1 also inhibited umbilical artery production of thromboxane B/sub 2/ and that of 6-keto-prostaglandin F/sub 1a/ (a metabolite of prostacyclin). However, it stimulated the conversion of exogenous arachidonic acid to thromboxane B/sub 2/ in fetal platelets and to 6-keto-prostaglandin F/sub 1a/ in the umbilical artery. This suggests that ethanol inhibits phospholipase A/sub 2/, but stimulates the enzymes distal from phospholipase A/sub 2/ in the prostaglandin-synthesizing enzyme cascade. 23 references, 2 figures, 1 table.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Helsinki, Finland
OSTI ID:
5649296
Journal Information:
Life Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Life Sci.; (United States) Vol. 41:3; ISSN LIFSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English