The Influence of Buffers on Human Platelet Aggregation and Energy Metabolism 1

Abstract

Summary

Washed human platelets suspended in Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate and Krebs-Ringer-phosphate buffers, respectively, showed significant differences in lactate production, in ¹⁴CO₂ production from pyruvate-2-¹⁴C, and in degree of aggregation by ADP. Degree of aggregation of platelets by ADP or palmitate was greater in bicarbonate than in phosphate buffer, as was production of lactate by platelets from added glucose or pyruvate. The reverse was true of ¹⁴CO₂ production.

The effect of exogenous ATP previously reported (2) was shown to be in large part but not completely due to addition of phosphate moiety.

The effect of added palmitate previously reported (3) was shown to require inorganic phosphate for significance and to be due chiefly to competition with pyruvate in furnishing acetyl CoA to the tricarboxylic acid cycle.