In-vitro platelet sensitivity to collagen-induced aggregation and in-vitro platelet deterioration rate during storage, are both inversely proportional to the in-vivo blood platelet concentration in normal individuals: preliminary documentation of these theoretically predictable relationships

Abstract

This preliminary study documents two new functional relationships for platelets obtained from normal subjects, whose individual blood platelet concentrations (IBPCs) are in the normal range. Firstly, platelets from subjects (or donors) with high-normal IBPCs are the least sensitive to collagen-induced aggregation (a significant inverse correlation). This may be of importance in determining the likely efficacy of fresh platelet transfusions obtained from donors with different IBPCs within the normal range. Secondly, platelets from subjects/donors with high-normal IBPCs deteriorate less rapidly during storage (a significant inverse correlation), perhaps due to differences in platelet biochemical activity between individuals. Such measurements of platelet deterioration rate were based upon the development of a new experimental technique, in which sterile test-PRP was incubated at 37°C with continuous (quarter-hourly) indirect measurements of changes in platelet morphology. This tube-based method is described in detail. The functional relationships observed do have a theoretical basis within the work of others, which is appropriately outlined. Particular discussion pivots around the possibility of using the deterioration rate relationship to predict how therapeutic platelet concentrates prepared from a given donor of know IBPC, may retain their morphological integrity during routine blood bank storage.