The present study investigates the effect of compounds that are known to elevate cAMP on the phospholipid metabolism of platelets. Prostaglandin E1, forskolin and isobutylmethylxanthine induce an increase in [32P]-phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) in platelets prelabelled with [32P]orthophosphate. Possible roles of this phenomenon are discussed in view of the inhibitory effect of cAMP elevation on platelet activation.