title: Plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 in relation to the venous platelet concentration.
abstract: The plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF-4) were determined in patients with various hematologic malignancies, and the results were related to simultaneously determined venous platelet counts. All studied patients were in a steady state. The plasma beta-TG concentrations were determined on 69 occasions and the values ranged from 0 to 82 ng/ml. In 33 instances, the venous platelet count was <25 x 10 (9/1) and in two thirds of these samples beta-TG was undedectable. The highest values for plasma beta-TG were found in patients with the highest venous platelet counts. A highly significant correlation (r=0.77, p <0.001) between the values for plasma beta-TG and venous platelet count was present. The plasma concentrations for PF-4 ranged from 0 to 50 ng/ml. Similarly, there was a highly significant relationship (r=0.78, p<0.001) between the values for PF-4 and venous platelet concentration. We conclude, if the plasma levels of beta-TG and PF-4 are used as markers of platelet activation in vivo, it is necessary to simultaneously consider the platelet concentration in the collected blood.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000032:analysis*; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000097:blood*; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000097:blood; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000097:blood; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000032:analysis*; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D010978:Platelet Factor 4