Plasma thrombospondin in immune thrombocytopenic purpura


ÖZCEBE O. İ., Karakuş S., HAZNEDAROĞLU İ. C., GÖKER H., KOŞAR A., Koçoǧlu H., ...More

Journal of International Medical Research, vol.30, no.1, pp.52-55, 2002 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 30 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2002
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/147323000203000108
  • Journal Name: Journal of International Medical Research
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.52-55
  • Keywords: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, Plasma thrombospondin concentration, Platelet activation, Thrombospondin
  • Lokman Hekim University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) rarely suffer life-threatening haemorrhages despite significant thrombocytopenia, probably because large numbers of hyperfunctioning platelets are present. Thrombospondin is a platelet α-granule protein and its plasma level may reflect platelet activation. We assessed circulating thrombospondin levels in 12 newly diagnosed ITP patients (one man; 11 women, aged 36 ± 16 years) before they were treated for ITP. Twelve healthy people (four men; eight women, aged 31 ± 11 years) acted as controls. Plasma thrombospondin concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Thrombospondin concentrations tended to be higher, despite thrombocytopenia, in ITP patients (158.8 ± 28.2 ng/ml) compared with controls (120.7 ± 18.2 ng/ml). The difference was not statistically significant, but the relatively high circulating thrombospondin concentrations we observed suggest that residual platelets could be activated in ITP, thus indicating a more benign clinical course compared with aplastic thrombocytopenia.