Carbacyclin, a PGI2 analog, is a prostacyclin (PGI2) receptor agonist and vasodilator with potent inhibitory platelet aggregation.

Carbacyclin acts as an inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by ADP or collagen in vitro[2]. Carbacyclin activates CPT-1 mRNA expression through PPARδ, independent of the IP receptor signaling pathway. Carbacyclin (0.02 μM to 20 μM) activates the IP receptor signaling pathway via PKA, and such an effect is inhibited by H-89, a PKA inhibitor. Carbacyclin (0.02-80 μM) increases PPRE promoter activity via PPARδ independent of the IP receptor signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes [3].

Carbacyclin is 0.03 times as active as prostacyclin on inhibiting platelet aggregation in human, rabbit, or dog plasma [2]. In the murine heart, Carbacyclin (100 μg, i.p.) induces CPT-1 mRNA expression [3].