thromboxanes

Last reviewed 01/2018

Thromboxanes are synthesised predominantly by platelets and act to promote:

  • vasoconstriction
  • platelet aggregation
  • bronchoconstriction in lung

The key thromboxane is A2 - TXA2 - which degrades spontaneously to the inactive TXB2.

They act as autocoid local hormones due to their short half lives, and they are excreted in the kidney.