[The role of calcium ions and inositol phospholipids in platelet activation]

Abstract

The present state of knowledge on the importance of calcium ions and inositol phospholipids in the metabolic changes associated with early stages of platelet activation is outlined, with stress laid in the biochemical mechanisms of intracellular rise of calcium ion concentration. The metabolism of inositol phospholipids is briefly discussed stressing the importance of the metabolites of these phospholipids--1,2-diacylglycerol and 1,4,5-inositol triphosphate which are of key importance in the transfer of information between platelet membrane and intracellular structures.