Inhibition of platelet function by A02131-1, a novel inhibitor of cGMP- specific phosphodiesterase, in vitro and in vivo

The effect of A02131–1 [3-(5′-hydroxymethyl-2′-furyl)-1-benzyl thieno (3,2-c)pyrazole], a cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, on platelet function was investigated. The compound was found to inhibit the aggregation of and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release from human platelet-rich plasma and washed platelets that were induced by aggregation inducing drugs such as arachidonic acid (AA), collagen, U46619, platelet-activating factor (PAF), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and A23187, and the inhibitory effect was concentration-dependent. A02131–1 also disaggregated the performed platelet aggregates induced by these inducers. Thromboxane B2 (TXB2) formations caused by collagen, PAF, ADP, and A23187 were inhibited by A02131–1 at concentrations that did not affect the AA-induced formation of TXB2 and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). A02131–1 suppressed both the generation of inositol 1,4,5- triphosphate (IP3) and the increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration stimulated by these aggregation inducers. A02131–1 was shown to increase the cAMP and cGMP levels in platelets and the extent was found to be dependent on concentration as well as time. A02131–1 increased the cAMP level much more slowly than the cGMP level. Activities of adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase, and PDEs (type I and III) were not altered by A02131–1. However, the activity of cGMP-specific PDE (type V) was inhibited by A02131–1. The antiplatelet aggregation activity and the effect on raising cAMP level of A02131–1 were both potentiated by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). In the mouse tail bleeding test, A02131–1 was clearly shown to be more effective than dipyridamole in prolonging the tail bleeding time of conscious mice. These data indicate that A02131–1 is a cGMP-specific PDE (type V) inhibitor in human platelets.