Compositions and methods for producing platelets and/or proplatelets from megakaryocytes

A method for producing platelets and/or proplatelets comprising:

• providing at least one megakaryocyte;
• and
• adding an effective amount of at least one thrombopoeisis stimulating factor and at least one compound that donates, transfers, or releases nitric oxide, or induces the production of endogenous nitric oxide or endothelium-derived relaxing factor or is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the at least one megakaryocyte to produce platelets and/or proplatelets.

A method for decreasing platelet counts in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound that inhibits the production of the patient's nitric oxide synthesis, wherein the compound that inhibits the production of the patient's nitric oxide synthesis is NG-nitro-L-arginine, NG-amino-L-arginine, NG—NG-dimethylarginine or NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine, or mixtures thereof.

A composition comprising at least one thrombopoeisis stimulating factor and at least one compound that donates, transfers, or releases nitric oxide, or induces the production of endogenous nitric oxide or endothelium-derived relaxing factor or is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase.

A method for treating or preventing a blood platelet disorder in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one thrombopoeisis stimulating factor and at least one compound that donates, transfers, or releases nitric oxide, or induces the production of endogenous nitric oxide or endothelium-derived relaxing factor or is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase.

The method of claimed 54, wherein the platelets and/or proplatelets are administered orally or by injection.

A composition comprising at least one megakaryocyte in culture and at least one compound that donates, transfers, or releases nitric oxide, or induces the production of endogenous nitric oxide or endothelium-derived relaxing factor or is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.