title: Platelet activity measured by plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 in seasonal allergic rhinitis during natural pollen exposure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Upon activation, platelets release mediators with potent inflammatory properties in IgE-mediated immune responses. Moreover, the atopic state leads towards functional abnormalities of these cells.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to examine the degree of activation of circulating platelets in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) during the symptomatic period, to improve the understanding of platelet function in atopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) - specific markers of platelet activation were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay in 20 patients suffering from SAR and in 15 healthy, nonatopic subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in peripheral blood platelet numbers and plasma levels of beta-TG and PF4 in SAR patients when compared with control subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that increased in vivo platelet activity, assessed by measuring plasma beta-TG and PF4, may not occur during allergic inflammation that is associated with SAR.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, ul. 3-go Maja 13-15, 41-800, Zabrze, Poland. kaspp@plusnet.pl
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasperska-Zajac
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rogala
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma; D015539:Platelet Activation; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011058:Pollen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000378:metabolism*; D012621:Seasons; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D010978:Platelet Factor 4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E