MEAN PLATELET VOLUME AND PLATELET FUNCTION ANALYSIS IN ACROMEGALIC PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet function analysis have been studied before in acromegaly, but the effect of treatment on both parameters has not been evaluated. We aimed to investigate MPV and platelet function analysis in acromegalic patients after six-months of treatment. METHODS: Forty patients with active acromegaly and 36 healthy subjects were included in the study. Plasma glucose and lipids, fibrinogen, GH, IGF-1 levels, MPV and platelet function analysis were measured. All patients with acromegaly were re-evaluated six months after treatment. RESULTS: Fasting blood glucose (FBG), GH, IGF-1, fibrinogen levels and MPV values were significantly higher in acromegalic group compared with the control. Platelet function was enhanced significantly (pcol-ADP 0.002, pcolepinephrine 0.002). After 6 months of treatment FBG, serum GH, IGF-1, fibrinogen and MPV decreased and collagen/ADP- and collagen/epinephrine-closure times (CT) were increased. Acromegalic patients that were in remission with long-acting SSA after surgery had significantly higher fibrinogen levels and MPV and decreased collagen/epinephrine-CT with respect to the controls (pfibrinogen 0.001, pMPV 0.026, pcol-epinephrine 0.037). CONCLUSION: Acromegaly was associated with increased MPV and enhanced platelet activity. Although growth hormone hypersecretion was controlled by surgery and medical treatment, these parameters did not improve - indicating a still increased risk for cardiovascular events.