Cyclic GMP analogs inhibit gamma thrombin-induced arachidonic acid release in human platelets

Elevation in intracellular cyclic GMP levels is the proposed proximal mechanism for the vasodilatory and platelet inhibitory action of nitrovasodilators and of nitric oxide, the putative endothelium-derived relaxing factor. In this study, the stable cyclic GMP analogs, 8-bromo-cGMP and N², 2′-O-dibutyryl-cGMP were found to inhibit the release of [³H]-arachidonic acid from γ thrombin-stimulated human platelets in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of the formation of arachidonic acid metabolites, 12-HETE and thromboxane B₂, paralleled that of arachidonic acid release and was accompanied by a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation. The formation of phosphatidic acid, a metabolite of phospholipase C, however, was relatively preserved. At a concentration of 8-bromo-cGMP (2 mM) that produced near-total inhibition of arachidonic acid release, phosphatidic acid formation remained at 60% of control levels. Thus, cGMP analogs have a preferential inhibitory effect on the release and subsequent metabolism of arachidonic acid. The phospholipase A2/arachidonic acid pathway appears to be an important target for the physiologic action of cGMP, and EDRF, and for the pharmacologic action of nitrovasodilators.