title: Activation of blood platelets in workers exposed to organic solvents.
abstract: Organic solvents probably exert their clinical effects through distortion of cellular membrane structure and function. Blood platelets represent an easily available membrane system. This study describes an evaluation of mean platelet volume (MPV) and total platelet count (TPC) in a group of workers exposed to a mixture of organic solvents in paint factories. We have found a correlation between decreased MPV and present exposure. The reduction was reversed within an exposure-free interval of 3 weeks. The intracellular adenosine triphosphate/adenosine diphosphate (ATP/ADP) ratio was significantly increased in exposed workers, compatible with dense granule secretion. A quantitative study of the phosphoinositide cycle in the platelets revealed an increased concentration of the phosphatidic acid, indicating an increased turnover. These findings are consistent with a solvent-induced activation of circulating platelets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kyvik
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brattebø
authors.forename: O B
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Tysnes
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oyen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sandberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Riise
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Holmsen
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Aarli
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000097:blood; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010150:Paint / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate