title: Beta-thromboglobulin and platelet aggregates in glomerulonephritis.
abstract: Circulating platelet aggregate ratios (CPAR) and plasma beta-thromboglobulin (B-TG) concentrations were determined in 53 patients with chronic progressive glomerulonephritis [mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (15) and focal and segmental hyalinosis and sclerosis (38)] and compared with those from both normal subjects and patients with no evidence of renal disease. The mean B-TG concentration was higher in patient controls [32.6 +/- 6.2 ng/ml (SEM)] than in normal subjects [19.0 +/- 2.0 ng/ml (SEM)] but this did not reach significance (P < 0.10 > 0.05). Nephritic patients had markedly elevated levels [49.8 +/- 4.0 ng/ml (SEM)], but B-TG was significantly correlated with renal impairment. Elevated B-TG levels in patients with nephritis may thus reflect renal impairment or ill-health. The mean CPAR of the nephritic patients [0.75 +/- 0.02 (SEM)] was lower than that of both normal [0.86 +/- 0.03 (SEM), P < 0.001] and patient controls [0.87 +/- 0.02 (SEM), P < 0.001]. CPAR was not correlated with renal function or platelet concentration. Low CPAR in nephritic subjects provides further evidence for in-vivo activation of platelets in patients with glomerulonephritis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000097:blood*; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin