AUTHOR=Patrono Carlo , Rocca Bianca 

TITLE=Measurement of Thromboxane Biosynthesis in Health and Disease

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.01244

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2019.01244

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p>Thromboxane (TX) A<sub>2</sub> is a chemically unstable lipid mediator involved in several pathophysiologic processes, including primary hemostasis, atherothrombosis, inflammation, and cancer. In human platelets, TXA<sub>2</sub> is the major arachidonic acid derivative <italic>via</italic> the cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 pathway. Assessment of platelet TXA<sub>2</sub> biosynthesis can be performed <italic>ex vivo</italic> through measurement of serum TXB<sub>2</sub>, an index of platelet COX-1 activity, as well as <italic>in vivo</italic> through measurement of urinary enzymatic metabolites, a non-invasive index of platelet activation. This article reviews the main findings of four decades of clinical investigation based on these analytical approaches, focusing on the measurement of TXA<sub>2</sub> metabolites to characterize the pathophysiologic role of transiently or persistently enhanced platelet activation and to describe the clinical pharmacology of COX-1 inhibition in health and disease.</p>