Glyceryl trinitrate and platelet aggregation: effects of N-acetyl-cysteine

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
J C HoganA H Henderson

Abstract

The concentration range of GTN causing inhibition of platelet aggregation in vitro is much higher than the plasma concentrations achieved clinically. This action is potentiated by the sulphydryl donor N-acetylcysteine. We have investigated the effects of GTN given with and without N-acetylcysteine on ex vivo platelet aggregation in man. In a double-blind randomised crossover trial eight healthy volunteers were treated with 20 mg of transdermal GTN/24 h, together with N-acetylcysteine 200 mg three times daily or matching placebo. Platelet aggregation, measured ex vivo by whole blood impedance aggregometry in response to adenosine diphosphate, was not significantly altered by GTN acutely or after 4 days' treatment with or without N-acetylcysteine. Platelet cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels were not significantly altered by GTN either in the absence or presence of N-acetylcysteine. This result implies that previously reported beneficial effects of GTN in myocardial infarction or unstable angina are unlikely to be attributable to direct pharmacological inhibition of platelet aggregation.

References

Jan 1, 1976·Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology·P Needleman
Aug 1, 1988·British Journal of Pharmacology·J C HoganA H Henderson
Aug 1, 1985·The Journal of Clinical Investigation·J Loscalzo
Apr 1, 1967·Cardiovascular Research·J R HamptonJ R Mitchell

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 1, 1992·European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·P VallanceJ Collier
Aug 1, 1994·Journal of the American College of Cardiology·T J AndersonA C Yeung
Dec 1, 1991·Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine·J S Stamler, J Loscalzo
Jun 26, 1997·The American Journal of Cardiology·J Abrams
Feb 1, 1993·British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·N H WallénP Hjemdahl
Dec 1, 1994·British Heart Journal·R AndrewsS Heptinstall

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antianginal Drugs: Mechanisms of Action

Antianginal drugs, including nitrates, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, are used in the treatment of angina pectoris. Here is the latest research on their use and their mechanism of action.