Nitric oxide production by human peripheral blood platelets in normal condition and after thoracic and abdominal wounds

Nitric oxide production by the human peripheral blood platelets in normal condition and after thoracic and abdominal wounds was investigated. The platelets were obtained from blood by differential centrifuging. The nitric oxide production by platelets (0.5x10(8)) was studied in RPMI 1640 medium containing bovine fetal serum, glutamine, and antibiotics, during incubation at 37degreesC for 15 hours. Nitric oxide level was determined by Griss reaction. A large-scale absolute production of nitric oxide by platelets was revealed both in normal condition (7.70 +/- 0.55 mumol/l), and after thoracic and abdominal wounds (11.45+/-0.84 mumol/l). Severe trauma course is associated with hyperproduction of nitric oxide possessing multiple damaging effects, including the anti-thrombogenic one, which should be taken into account in clinical practice.