title: Intradialytic and postdialytic platelet activation, increased platelet phosphatidylserine exposure and ultrastructural changes in platelets in children with chronic uremia.
abstract: The present research evaluated the intradialytic and postdialytic changes in platelet factor-4 and beta-thromboglobulin plasma levels by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay method and platelet aggregation by ADP as well as flow cytometric percentage of annexin-V-positive platelets as a measure of phosphatidylserine externalization and ultrastructural examination of platelets in 37 uremic patients on regular hemodialysis and 25 age-matched and sex-matched controls. Platelet factor-4 plasma levels increased, remain consistently high during hemodialysis session (20.24 +/- 3.05 IU/ml after 30 min, P < 0.001 and 23.67 +/- 3.68 IU/ml after 240 min, P < 0.001) and returned to control values (6.10 +/- 1.54 IU/ml) only after 24 h following the end of the session. beta-Thromboglobulin showed a trend similar to that of platelet factor-4. Platelet aggregation by ADP showed reduced function in comparison with controls (69.32 +/- 12.37 versus 91.95 +/- 1.59%, P < 0.001). Flow cytometric percentage of annexin-V-positive platelet was significantly elevated (P < 0.001) in uremic patients when compared with normal controls. Ultrastructural studies of platelets 30 min after starting of dialysis showed degranulation of its granules and at 240 min showed complete degranulation, whereas in the postdialytic phase (12 h after the end of dialysis) refilled alpha-granules started to appear. Positive correlations were found between platelet concentration and platelet factor-4 and beta-thromboglobulin plasma levels during and after dialysis (P < 0.001) and with annexin-V-positive platelets percentage (P < 0.001). In conclusion, activated platelets were found in chronic hemodialysis patients, a finding that may explain why uremic patients often suffer from thrombotic accidents. The platelet activation is associated with exposure of phosphatidylserine on the platelet exterior. Platelet factor-4 and beta-thromboglobulin are released from platelets as a result of a defect in their granules membrane as shown by the electron microscopy, mainly as a consequence of the blood-membrane contact during dialysis, and they return only slowly to control values.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Manal F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Elshamaa
authors.forename: Eman A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Elghoroury
authors.forename: Amira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Helmy
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D000293:Adolescent; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000097:blood; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000097:blood*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014511:Uremia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D010978:Platelet Factor 4; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate