The Effect of Chromium on Platelet Function In Vitro

Abstract

Abstract Sodium chromate inhibits platelet function in vitro. The primary effect is inhibition of connective tissue-induced aggregation. In addition, the primary wave of epinephrine-induced aggregation is moderately inhibited and adenosine diphosphate-induced aggregation is mildly inhibited. The effect on connective tissue-induced aggregation is due to inhibition of the platelet "release reaction"; chromate inhibited the release of adenine nucleotides, 14C labeled serotonin and the activation of platelet factor III normally caused by connective tissue. The amount of chromium which must be bound to platelets to inhibit aggregation is 10-100 times the amount of radioactive chromium bound to platelets under the usual conditions of labeling for survival studies. However, this does not imply that chromium labeled platelets function normally.