Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions

1 The Platelet.- Morphology.- Platelet Function.- Biochemistry.- Platelet Coagulant Activity.- 2 Endothelium and the Vessel Wall.- General Introduction.- General Structure of the Vessel Wall.- Vascular Endothelium.- Endothelial Permeability.- Synthetic and Metabolic Functions.- Endothelial Regeneration.- Endothelial Injury.- 3 The Use of Cultured Endothelial Cells in the Study of Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions.- The Culturing of Vascular Endothelial Cells.- Growth Factors.- Extracellular Matrix Proteins.- Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.- In Vitro Assessment of Platelet Interaction with the VesselWall.- Assessment of Cytotoxicity using Cultured Endothelial Cells.- The Effect of Nicotine on Endothelial Cells.- Conclusion.- 4 Smoking and Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions.- The Effects of Cigarette Smoke, Carbon Monoxide and Nicotine on Endothelial Morphology and Platelet-Endothelial Cell Interactions.- Cigarette Smoking and Platelet Aggregation.- Cigarette Smoking and Endothelial Cell Prostacyclin Production.- Novel Methods for Studying the Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Endothelium and Platelets.- Conclusions.- 5 Mesothelium as a Non-thrombogenic Surface.- Embryology.- Morphology.- Function.- Mesothelium as an Endothelium Substitute.- 6 Platelet-Endothelial Interactions in Renal Injury.- I. Potential Role for Platelets in Mediating Renal Injury.- to Renal Injury.- Evidence for Platelet Involvement in Glomerular Injury in Man.- How Platelets may Contribute to Renal Injury.- Mechanisms of Platelet Activation.- Role of Platelets in Experimental Models of Renal Injury.- II. Disorders of Platelet Function in Different Renal Diseases.- Nephrotic Syndrome.- Acute Renal Failure.- Pre-eclampsia.- Uraemia.- Dialysis.- 7 Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Review.- Aetiology.- Pathology.- Pathogenesis.- Haemostatic Changes in Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome.- Treatment.- 8 Newer Pharmacological Agents.- Inhibition of Arachidonic Acid Pathway/Reduction of Synthesis of Thromboxane A2.- Thromboxane Receptor Blockade.- Inhibition of Calcium Fluxes.- Elevation of Intra-Platelet Cyclic AMP Levels.- Protection of Endogenous Prostacyclin Release.- Promotion of Endogenous Prostacyclin Release.- Supplementation of Endogenous Prostacyclin.- Other Agents.