PROSTAGLANDIN METABOLITES AND REL~PTOR DENSITY OF PLATELET GLYCOPROTEIN lIb-lIla COMPLEX IN CORONARY HEAR'f DlSEASK

The plasma levels of thromboxane BZ (TXB2 ) and 6-keto prostaglandin F-1ct (6-PGlf), stable metabolites of thromboxane AZ and prostacyclin respectively, were measured in 23 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 20 healthy subjects who served as controls. The receptor density of glycoprotein (GP) lIb-IlIa complex was determined by an indirect inhibition assay. The mean levels of both TXB2 and 6-PGF were elevated in patients with CHD as compared with controls, the rise being statistically significant in case of 6-PGF' . (p < 0.02), probably resulting from increased biosynthesis of progtacyclin. The receptor density of GP lIb-IlIa complex was enhanced in patients with CHD (p < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between TXBZ and receptor density of GP lIb-lIla in controls (p ( 0.135), probably indicating their pro-aggregator roles.