title: Comparison of beta-thromboglobulin, flow cytometry, and platelet aggregometry to study platelet activation.
abstract: This study compares granule membrane protein (GMP)-140 expression measured by flow cytometry, release of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), and platelet aggregometry as markers of platelet activation in vitro. Whole blood was activated with different concentrations of thrombin. There was a significant increase in beta-TG plasma levels after stimulation with 0.01 and 0.04 U thrombin/ml. There was also an increase in GMP-140 expression, but interindividual variability was high. Aggregometry of platelet-rich plasma did not detect platelet activation and formation of platelet aggregates with 0.05 and 0.1 U thrombin/ml, while flow cytometry showed an early and significant increase of GMP-140 expression with these doses. Beta-TG release is a more sensitive marker of platelet activation than GMP-140 while flow cytometry is easier to perform and less susceptible to artifacts.
authors.affiliation: Center for Internal Medicine, Division of Haematology/Oncology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Matzdorff
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kemkes-Matthes
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pralle
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001769:Blood; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010979:Platelet Function Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013917:Thrombin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D019007:P-Selectin; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D004492:Edetic Acid; D013917:Thrombin