Abstract
Summary
1. The presence in versene-col-lected, freshly prepared human platelets of a number of active dehydrogenase systems has been demonstrated. 2. Platelets can be lysed readily by various chemical and physical means, the resulting preparations being homogeneous and opalescent, but completely lacking in dehydrogenase activity. Evidence has been obtained to indicate that platelets have to be morphologically intact for dehydrogenase systems to be active. 3. The dehydrogenase systems present in platelets are activated by sulfhydryl-containing substances, the most marked effects of those studied being produced by cysteine and reduced glutathione. 4. The addition to platelets of sulfhydryl-oxidizing or mercaptide-forming agents results in platelet destruction apparently different in nature from that brought about by lysing agents not reacting with sulfhydryl groups. 5. Preliminary indications are that platelet destruction occurring during storage can be reduced by sulfhydryl-containing substances or environmental conditions interfering with sulfhydryl oxidation. 6. Possible implications of some of these findings have been briefly discussed.
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