Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): New Perspectives for an Old Marker in the Course and Prognosis of Inflammatory Conditions.

Platelet size has been demonstrated to reflect platelet activity and seems to be a useful predictive and prognostic biomarker of cardiovascular events. It is associated with a variety of prothrombotic and proinflammatory diseases. The aim is a review of literature reports concerning changes in the mean platelet volume (MPV) and its possible role as a biomarker in inflammatory processes and neoplastic diseases. PubMed database was searched for sources using the following keywords: platelet activation, platelet count, mean platelet volume and: inflammation, cancer/tumor, cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infarction, diabetes, lupus disease, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis, renal disease, pulmonary disease, influencing factors, age, gender, genetic factors, oral contraceptives, smoking, lifestyle, methods, standardization, and hematological analyzer. Preference was given to the sources which were published within the past 20 years. Increased MPV was observed in cardiovascular diseases, cerebral stroke, respiratory diseases, chronic renal failure, intestine diseases, rheumatoid diseases, diabetes, and various cancers. Decreased MPV was noted in tuberculosis during disease exacerbation, ulcerative colitis, SLE in adult, and different neoplastic diseases. The study of MPV can provide important information on the course and prognosis in many inflammatory conditions. Therefore, from the clinical point of view, it would be interesting to establish an MPV cut-off value indicating the intensity of inflammatory process, presence of the disease, increased risk of disease development, increased risk of thrombotic complications, increased risk of death, and patient's response on applied treatment. Nevertheless, this aspect of MPV evaluation allowing its use in clinical practice is limited and requires further studies.

Lectin adhesion proteins (P-, L- and E-selectins) as biomarkers in colorectal cancer.

CONTEXT: Selectins probably participate in the interactions between platelets and other inflammatory cells in cancer invasion and metastasis formation. We assessed a potential relationship of P-, L- and E-selectin in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in relation to tumour advancement according to TNM classification, and tumour location. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group was composed of 53 CRC patients and 25 healthy subjects. Plasma levels of soluble P-, L- and E-selectins were measured using the immunoenzymatic method with Quantikine kits (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN). RESULTS: The mean levels of all selectins were significantly higher in CRC patients compared to healthy controls. The highest level of sP-selectin was observed in patients with metastases to the liver (stage IV), and was significantly higher than in patients without metastases (stage I/II) and with lymph node metastases (stage III), p = .02. The highest levels of sL- and sE-selectin were observed in patients with lymph node metastasis. We also found sP-selectin to be the best predictor of CRC. CONCLUSION: Our finding show possible involvement of tested selectins in CRC advancement and forming metastasis. Among sL- and E- selectins, P-selectin plays an important role in the progression of CRC and could be an attractive biomarker with clinical significance.

Multiple sclerosis - etiology and diagnostic potential.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of autoimmune originate. The main agents responsible for the MS development include exogenous, environmental, and genetic factors. MS is characterized by multifocal and temporally scattered central nervous system (CNS) damage which lead to the axonal damage. Among clinical courses of MS it can be distinguish relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPSM), primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), and progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis (RPMS). Depending on the severity of signs and symptoms MS can be described as benign MS or malignant MS. MS diagnosis is based on McDonald's diagnostic criteria, which link clinical manifestation with characteristic lesions demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and visual evoked potentials. Among CSF laboratory tests used to the MS diagnosis are applied: Tibbling & Link IgG index, reinbegrams, and CSF isoelectrofocusing for oligoclonal bands detection. It should be emphasized, that despite huge progress regarding MS as well as the availability of different diagnostics methods this disease is still a diagnostic challenge. It may result from fact that MS has diverse clinical course and there is a lack of single test, which would be of appropriate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for quick and accurate diagnosis.

[Difficulties in classifying body cavity fluids into transudate/ exudate depending on the various diagnostic criteria]. / Trudnosci w klasyfikacji plynów z jam ciala na przesiek/wysiek na podstawie róznych kryteriów diagnostycznych.

Disease processes may impair the production and reabsorption of fluid from in the body cavities, which results in its excessive accumulation. AIM: The aim of the study was the evaluation of difficulties regarding the classification of fluids from the body cavities into transudate/exudate observing the following: Light's criteria, total fluid protein concentration, and total protein ratio (TP ratio) and lactate dehydrogenase ratio (LDH ratio). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted on pleural (N=314), peritoneal (N=114) and pericardial (N=10) fluids, which were tested for the total protein concentration and LDH activity both in fluid and serum and calculated on TP ratio and LDH ratio. RESULTS: Based on the total protein concentration, 278 fluids from pleural cavity were classified as an exudate; 36 as a transudate. Applying the Light's criteria 240 fluids were classified as an exudate; the remaining 74 fluids were classified as a transudate. Based on TP and LDH ratios, 229 fluids from pleural cavity were classified as an exudate; 85 as a transudate. Depending on the total protein concentration, 35 fluids from the peritoneal cavity were classified as an exudate; 79 as a transudate. Applying the Light's criteria 54 fluids were classified as an exudate; the remaining 60 fluids were classified as a transudate. Based on TP and LDH ratios, 22 fluids from peritoneal cavity were classified as an exudate; 92 as a transudate. Analysis of pericardial fluids, depending on the total protein concentration classified 9 of them as an exudate and 1 as a transudate. The same results were obtained by applying Light's criteria. Based on TP and LDH ratios, 7 fluids from pericardial cavity were classified as an exudate; 3 - as a transudate. CONCLUSIONS: Applying the Light's criteria or the total protein concentration in differential diagnostics of fluids from the body cavities resulted in qualification more of them as an exudates as compared to the analysis of the same fluids depending on the TP and LDH ratios. It can be assumed that some of the transudative/exudative fluids were incorrectly classified. Performed analysis suggest that more adequate criteria of the classification of fluids from the body cavities into transudate/exudate are of great importance.

Application of the Bead-Based Technique in Neurodegeneration: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common disease causing neurodegeneration. The lower concentration of ß-amyloid 1-42 (Aß1-42) together with increased levels of total tau protein (T-tau) and phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) make a panel of well-established biomarkers in AD diagnosis. Addition of novel biomarkers to the gold standard biomarker panel might improve the diagnostic accuracy of neurodegeneration. This goal might be reached by the use of multiplexing, which is a simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes in a single sample volume and within a single cycle or run. OBJECTIVE/METHODS: Therefore the aim of the current review was to present, according to our best knowledge, available data concerning the evaluation of concentrations and diagnostic accuracy of well-established biomarkers in AD as well as novel biomarkers analyzed with the use of the bead-based technique. Additionally we discuss the utilization of the bead-based technique as compared to the conventional ELISA method. RESULTS: Literature data indicate that the bead-based technique revealed diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and coefficients of variation at the levels similar to ELISA. Moreover, an addition of novel biomarkers (tested by means of the bead-based technique) to the gold standard biomarker panel improved the diagnostic accuracy of neurodegeneration. CONCLUSION: Review of literature data shows that the combined analysis of classical CSF biomarkers with novel biomarkers might increase the specificity and sensitivity of performed tests. However, we concluded that the replacement of conventional ELISA with the bead-based technique requires new reference intervals for Aß1-42, T-tau and P-tau concentrations.

Effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment in conjunction with either systemic administration of amoxicillin and metronidazole or additional photodynamic therapy on the concentration of matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 in gingival crevicular fluid in patients with aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) the effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment in conjunction with either additional administration of systemic antibiotics (AB) or application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) concentration of matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 (MMP-8 and -9). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with AgP were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either scaling and root planing (SRP) followed by systemic administration of AB (e.g. Amoxicillin + Metronidazole) or SRP + PDT. The analysis of MMP-8 and -9 GCF concentrations was performed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Nonparametric U-Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison between groups. Changes from baseline to 3 and 6 months were analyzed with the Friedman's ANOVA test with Kendall's index of consistency. RESULTS: In the AB group, patients showed a statistically significant (p = 0.01) decrease of MMP-8 GCF level at both 3 and 6 months post treatment. In the PDT group, the change of MMP-8 GCF level was not statistically significant. Both groups showed at 3 and 6 months a decrease in MMP-9 levels. However, this change did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of the present study, it may be suggested that in patients with AgP, nonsurgical periodontal therapy in conjunction with adjunctive systemic administration of amoxicilin and metronidazole is more effective in reducing GCF MMP-8 levels compared to the adjunctive use of PDT.

Multifunctional CD40L: pro- and anti-neoplastic activity.

The CD40 ligand is a type I transmembrane protein that belongs to a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. It is present not only on the surface of activated CD4+ T cells, B cells, blood platelets, monocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells but also on cancer cells. The receptor for ligand is constitutively expressed on cells, TNF family protein: CD40. The role of the CD40/CD40L pathway in the induction of body immunity, in inflammation, or in hemostasis has been well documented, whereas its involvement in neoplastic disease is still under investigation. CD40L ligand may potentiate apoptosis of tumor cells by activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), AP-1, CD95, or caspase-depended pathways and stimulate host immunity to defend against cancer. Although CD40L has a major contribution to anti-cancer activity, many reports point at its ambivalent nature. CD40L enhance release of strongly pro-angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and activator of coagulation, TF, the level of which is correlated with tumor metastasis. CD40L involvement in the inhibition of tumor progression has led to the emergence of not only therapy using recombinant forms of the ligand and vaccines in the treatment of cancer but also therapy consisting of inhibiting platelets-main source of CD40L. This article is a review of studies on the ambivalent role of CD40L in neoplastic diseases.

IgE antibodies in toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide infection caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. At least a third of the world human population is infected with the parasite, making it one of the most successful parasitic infections. Primary maternal infection may cause health-threatening sequelae for the fetus, or even cause death of the uterus. Reactivation of a latent infection in immune deficiency conditions such as AIDS and organ transplantation can cause fatal toxoplasmic encephalitis. Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of chorioretinitis, especially in individuals with impaired immune systems. In the acute phase, directly after invading the body, T. gondii begins to multiply rapidly. In the majority of cases acquired toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic. In the second week of infection, specific IgM antibodies are present in the blood. IgE antibodies appear at the same time, slightly preceding specific IgA antibodies. The concentration of IgE can be one of the parameters used for diagnosing an infection with T. gondii. Laboratory diagnosis, i.e. IgE and serologic assays, plays the main role in the diagnosis of congenital infection and assists in the confirmatory diagnosis of toxoplasmic encephalitis and ocular toxoplasmosis. This article is a review of IgE in toxoplasmosis.

Platelets and inflammatory markers in patients with gastric cancer.

The aim of the study was to assess the contribution of platelets and inflammatory markers in gastric cancer. We studied 50 patients. Taking into consideration the advancement of gastric cancer, patients were divided into 3 groups. Group (E)--13 patients with early gastric cancer, group (A)--18 patients with regionally advanced cancer, and group (M)--19 patients with metastatic cancer. The determinations were performed twice prior to surgery and after surgery. In patients with gastric cancer, there is an increase in IL-6 and IL-23 compared with the healthy group. The highest values of IL-6 were obtained in early cancer (more than 8-fold increase), which seems to confirm the presence of acute inflammation. The lowest value of both of these cytokines was obtained in patients with metastatic cancer. In all patients, regardless of tumor stage, there was an increase in the concentration of CRP. An increase of PLT, higher proportion of the percentage of large platelets (LPLT), and increased mean platelet volume (MPV) were observed in the process of disease development. A positive correlation between MPV and LPLT and the accompanying decrease in the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines indicates the presence of an existing relationship between the platelet morphological parameters and the inflammation process in the development of gastric cancer.

The effect of perioperative immunonutrition on the phagocytic activity of blood platelets in advanced gastric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Perioperative immunonutrition can influence the phagocytic activity of platelets in advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: 51 patients with stage IV gastric cancer divided into four groups depending on the clinical status and 40 normal donors were analyzed. Patients of groups I and II underwent palliative gastrectomy. Patients of groups III and IV had exploratory laparotomy. Perioperative immunonutrition was administered as follows: group I--TPN, II--oral arginine, peripheral TPN, III--TPN preoperatively, and IV--without nutrition. The phagocytic activity of blood platelets was determined before and after nutritional therapy and was assessed by measuring the fraction of phagocytic thrombocytes (%phag) and the phagocytic index (Ixphag). RESULTS: The percentage of phagocytizing platelets and the phagocytic index prior to and after the surgery amounted to the following: group I--1.136-1.237, P = NS, and 1.007-1.1, P = NS, respectively, II--1.111-1.25, P < 0.05, and 1.011-1.083, P < 0.05, III--1.112-1.186, P = NS, and 0.962-1.042, P = NS, and IV--1.085-0.96, P = NS, and 1.023-1.04, P = NS. CONCLUSIONS: The phagocytic activity of platelets in patients with advanced gastric cancer is significantly impaired. Perioperative immunonutrition with oral arginine-rich diet can partially improve the phagocytic activity of blood platelets. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov--NCT01704664.

Platelet expression of CD62P in hypotrophic newborns.

BACKGROUND: Hypotrophic newborns demonstrate a reduced blood platelet count and therefore may have haemostasis disorders. The antigen density of CD62P on the surface of platelets may indicate the activation of blood platelets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have studied 31 hypotrophic newborns, and have divided these into two groups: weighing less than the 5th centile and between the 5th and 10th centiles. The antigen density of CD62P was calculated according to the procedure recommended by DAKO QIFIKIT. RESULTS: Hypotrophic newborns exhibited a median 22 000 of CD62P per platelet. There is a distinct gender difference (female median 29 768, male median 19 044 of CD62P per platelet, p = 0.001). Newborns below the 5th centile demonstrated a median 30 000 of CD62P per platelet, whereas between the 5th and 10th centiles - a median 18 700. A negative correlation (R = -0.53, p = 0.002) was found between the antigen density of CD62P and birth weight. CONCLUSION: Hypotrophy affects the expression of CD62P. There is a negative correlation between the antigen density of CD62P and birth weight.

[Albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in relation to percentage of HbA1c]. / Albuminuria u chorych na cukrzyce typu 2 w zaleznosci od odsetka HbA1c.

UNLABELLED: Albuminuria is an early marker of the microvascular and macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolic complication accompanying the disease, especially hyperglicaemia, have significant influence on the range of albumin excretion. The aim of the study was to evaluate urinary albumin excretion and percentage of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), in relation to fasting and postprandial glycaemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Research was made in two groups of patients with confirmed albuminuria: in the 1st group with good glycemic control with HbA1c > or = 6,1%-< or = 6,5%, and in the 2-nd group with poor glycemic control with HbA1c > 6,5%-< or = 10%. The control group consisted of 21 patients with essential hypertension and coexisted albuminuria, not suffering from diabetes. The average fasting and postprandial glycemic were calculated for each patient on the basis of the last three values of glycaemia from the patient's self-control test. The extent of albuminuria and the percentage of HbA1c were determined by the immunoturbidimetric test. RESULTS: The highest albumin excretion in urine was noticed in the group with poor glycemic control, a slightly lower level of albuminuria was found in the group with good glycemic control, however the lowest level of albumin excretion was noticed in the control group. The differences were not statistically significant. The fasting glycaemia as well as postprandial glycaemia were increased in the group with higher percentage of HbA1c (p < 0,001) with comparison to the group with good glycemic control. The average percentage of HbA1c was 7,54% in the group with poor glycemic control and was significantly connected with larger glycaemia with comparison to the 2nd group with average percentage of HbA1c 6,3%. CONCLUSIONS: The excretion of albumin in urine rises with increased glycaemia and percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin. Fasting glycaemia as well as postprandial glycaemia have influence on the percentage of glycated hemoglobin.

[Assess the impact of concentrations of inflammatory markers IL-6, CRP in the presence of albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes]. / Ocena wplywu stezenia markerów stanu zapalnego: IL-6, CRP na wystepowanie albuminurii u chorych na cukrzyce typu 2.

UNLABELLED: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Symptom of nephropathy is albuminuria, in which the mechanism of formation may participates CRP and IL-6. The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of CRP and IL-6 depending on the irregularity of metabolic patients with type 2 diabetes and their impact on the occurrence of albuminuria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 68 patients with type 2 diabetes with albuminuria. Patients were divided into groups: group I - patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c > or = 6.1 - < or = 6.5%, group II - patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c > 6.5 - < or = 10.0%, K - control group, 21 patients with essential hypertension with albuminuria. The material was consisted of venal extracted for clot drawn from the basilic vain. IL 6 concentration was assessed using the ELISA method. The percentage of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), CRP, the extent of albuminuria was determined by immunoturbidimetric method. RESULTS: The mean urinary albumin excretion was highest in the second study group, lowerin the test group, the lowest in the control group. The average concentration of IL-6 and CRP was highest in group I, lower in group II, the lowest in the control group (p > 0.05). It has been shown a positive correlation between serum CRP and the magnitude of albuminuria in the test group of patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c > or = 6.1 - < or = 6.5% (p < 0.037). The relationship between serum CRP and the magnitude of albuminuria in the control group of patients with essential hypertension were at the border of statistical significance (p < 0.057). Not shown a positive correlation between these parameters in the second group of patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c >6.5 - < or = 10.0%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes with better metabolic control, protein CRP is a sensitive marker of albuminuria.

[The role of ghrelin in the organism]. / Rola greliny w organizmie.

Ghrelin was discovered in 1999 as an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). About 60-70% of ghrelin in the blood is released from oxyntic cells (X/A-like cells) of the stomach body and fundus. Ghrelin acts via interactions with specific receptors located, for example, in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pancreas, kidneys, myocardium, blood vessels, adipose tissue, ovaries and placenta. Ghrelin is directly related to the control of energy balance through appetite stimulation, food intake increase and meal initiation as well as reduction of adipose tissue utilization. Moreover, ghrelin increases hydrochloric acid secretion and gastrin release, controls gastric motility, and also protects the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestine. Besides its effects on the gastrointestinal tract, ghrelin influences the cardiovascular system, bone metabolism, insulin secretion, gonad function and the immune system. It exerts anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and endothelium. The plasma ghrelin level depends on the nutrition level and lifestyle factors. This article describes the most important functions of ghrelin in the organism.

Does Toxoplasma gondii infection affect the levels of IgE and cytokines (IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-alpha)?

In the study performed in a group of patients infected with T. gondii, we evaluated Th2 humoral response (IL-5, IL-6, IL-10) and Th1 cell response (IL-12, TNF-alpha). The study objective was to assess the effect of T. gondii on chosen indices of the immune response. The study involved 52 women infected with T. gondii (aged 18-42 years) prior to antiparasitic treatment. In all the patients, we found IgM (index >0.7) and IgG which exceeded 300 IU/ml. The control group (C) consisted of 40 healthy women aged 18-46 years. In the study group (T) and in the control group (C), the levels of IgE, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-alpha were determined. In our study, T. gondii patients had twofold higher levels of IL-5 and IL-6 as compared to healthy subjects, which seems to confirm the presence of an inflammatory state. We found the level of IL-10 to be fivefold higher in the course of toxoplasmosis than in healthy controls. The levels of IL-12 and TNF-alpha were comparable to those observed in healthy controls. The study has revealed that patients infected with T. gondii show increased production of the humoral response cytokines, whereas the generation of the cell response cytokines remains unchanged.

Thrombopoiesis in small for gestational age newborns.

Thrombocytopenia in small for gestational age (SGA) newborns may be due to placental vascular pathology, fetal consumptive coagulopathy and platelet destruction, local imbalance of thromboxane A2 causing placental vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation. Thrombopoiesis in SGA newborns is poorly recognized. In 61 SGA newborns we evaluated thrombocytopoiesis in relation to gender and the rate maturity expressed as <5th percentile and <10th percentile. Female newborns demonstrated higher thrombopoietin (TPO) level at 92.06 pg/ml than male newborns at 79.81 pg/ml. Newborns less developed <5th percentile, showed increased TPO level of 92.0 pg/ml in comparison to <10th percentile of 78.0 pg/ml. This observation is more pronounced in female newborns. Contrary to our expectations we did not find any statistically significant differences in the percentage of reticulated platelets (PLRET) and platelets count in relation to gender and <5th percentile or <10th percentile. We can postulate intrauterine hypoxia is responsible for the increase of erythropoietin and impairment of thrombopoiesis in SGA newborns.

[The cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease]. / Cytokiny w nieswoistych zapalnych chorobach jelit.

Inflammatory bowel disease includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It is a group of chronic disorders of unknown etiology characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease is multifactorial. Recent data show that the development of inflammatory bowel disease is associated with the interplay of genetic, bacterial, and environmental factors and dysregulation of the intestinal immune system. The latest research is focused on the key role of cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, a number of recruited monocytes and activated macrophages are the source of cytokines in the inflamed alimentary tract mucosa. The role of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, -6, -8, -12, -17, -23, TNF, IFN) in inflammatory bowel disease is associated with the initiation and progression of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, -10, -13) also contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, decreasing the inflammatory response by down-regulating proinflammatory cytokine production.

[The relations between platelet count, mean platelet volume and HbA1C in patients with type 2 diabetes]. / Zaleznosc pomiedzy liczba plytek krwi, srednia objetoscia plytek a HbA1C u chorych na cukrzyce typu 2.

Considerable interest experimental and clinical researches has been focused on important role of advanced glication and its products and oxidative stress on the structure and functional disorders of platelets in diabetes. The aim of the study of our work was an estimate of platelet count (PLT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) for diabetics and control subjects and diabetics depending on glycated haemoglobin. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the platelet count was 216.4 x 10(9)/l in control subjects 223.60 x 10(9)/l. The mean platelet volume in diabetic was significantly higher than in control subjects and the results totaled 9.81 fl in diabetics. The platelet count in groups: B1 and B2 than in control subjects 9.36 fl, depending on glycated haemoglobin were not significantly important. The mean platelet volume in diabetics with level of glycated haemoglobin below 7.5% was 10.25 fl in group B2 9.83 fl and in control subjects 9.36 fl. One can suppose changes in patelet count and mean platelet volume depend on level metabolic disorders in diabetic.

Differences in Monocyte Subsets and Monocyte-Platelet Aggregates in Acute Myocardial Infarction-PreliminaryResults.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte-platelet interaction may favor the development of a proatherogenic monocyte phenotype. It is still uncertain which of the 3 monocyte subpopulations interact with platelets to form monocyte-platelet aggregates (MPAs) in acute myocardial infarctions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the monocyte subsets, the percentage of MPAs and the involvement of monocyte subsets in MPA formation among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and compared to patients with stable angina (SA). METHODS: Monocyte subsets and MPAs formation were measured in blood collected in 3.2% sodium citrate tubes by means of flow cytometry. RESULTS: Classical, intermediate and nonclassical monocyte percentages were statistically different when comparing patients with STEMI and NSTEMI. Moreover, classical and intermediate monocytes were statistically different when comparing the STEMI and SA group; however, only the classical monocyte subset was found to be higher in the acute myocardial infarction group compared to the SA group. The percentage of MPAs was significantly higher in STEMI (50.1%) compared to NSTEMI (22.9%). We found no differences in the involvement of monocyte subsets in MPA formation between patients with STEMI and NSTEMI and in comparison with the SA group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the increase in circulating levels of classical monocytes in patients with STEMI as compared to NSTEMI reflects the severity of the acute event. The increased percentage of MPAs may favor the development of STEMI compared to NSTEMI.

The effect of gestational age on platelet surface expression of CD62P in preterm newborns.

Hemostasis in preterm newborns is characterized by low reserve functional capacity with special reference to the presence of such risk factors as asphyxia or infection. Platelets play vitally important role in hemostasis. Expression of CD62P is a marker of stimulated or activated blood platelets. The study involved a group of 16 preterm newborns, five girls and 11 boys. DAKO QIFIKIT was applied to calculate the number of these antigens. The mean CD 62P expression was found to be 23,792 per platelet. Correlation was found between antigen density and gestational age r = 0.954, p = 0.01. Evident deficit of P-selectin on the surface of platelets in preterm newborns may be at least in part responsible for platelet dysfunction, with special reference to interaction between circulating leukocytes and combating infection.