Prevention of αIIbβ3 activation by non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs

We have studied the effect of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on alpha IIb beta 3 integrin activation and platelet aggregation. NSAIDs such as meloxicam, piroxicam, indomethacin and aspirin, but not aceclofenac or diclofenac interfered with the activation state of alpha IIb beta 3, NSAIDs that inhibited alpha IIb beta 3 activation were also able both to partially inhibit platelet primary: aggregation and to accelerate platelet deaggregation. These effects of NSAIDs were not dependent on cyclooxygenase inhibition, The results obtained indicate that some NSAIDs exert a specific action on alpha IIb beta 3 activation, and pro,ide an additional mechanism that accounts for their beneficial effects in diseases in which platelet activation is involved. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.