Summary
To evaluate the platelet function in sickle cell syndromes we measured the β-thromboglobulin (β-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF-4) plasma values of 45 patients suffering from homozygous sickle cell anaemia (10) and sickle cell β-thalassaemia (35) in steady state. The results were compared to those of 32 normal controls. Both the β-TG and PF-4 levels were found to be significantly higher in patients than in controls but the β-TG: PF-4 ratio was significantly lower in the patients group. This finding and the absence of any statistical correlation between platelet number and β-TG or PF-4 indicate that platelets seem to be somehow activated in sickle cell syndromes, both in homozygotes and sickle cell/β-thalassaemia heterozygotes. This platelet activation seems to exist even in steady state sickle cell disease patients, regardless of the functional status of the spleen.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Billet HB, Nagel RL, Farby ME (1988) Evolution of laboratory parameters during sickle cell painful crisis: Evidence compatible with dense red cell sequestration without thrombosis. Am J Med Sci 296: 293–298
Buchanan GR, Holtcamp CA (1983) Evidence against enhanced platelet activity in sickle cell anaemia. Br J Haematol 54: 595–603
Chaplin H, Alkjaersig N, Fletcher AP, Michael JM, Joist JH (1980) Aspirin-dipyridamole prophylaxis of sickle cell disease pain crises. Thromb Hemostas 44: 218–221
Greenberg J, Ohene-Frempong K, Halus J, Schwartz E (1981) Aspirin as anti-platelet therapy in patients with sickle cell disease. Blood 58 [Suppl 1]:59a
Kaplan KL, Owen J (1981) Plasma levels of β-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 as indices of platelet activation in vivo. Blood 57: 199–202
Kenn MW, George AJ, Stuart J (1980) Platelet hyperactivity in sickle cell disease: a consequence of hypersplenism. J Clin Pathol 33: 622–625
Kirkwood RB (1988) Essentials of medical statistics. Blackwell, Oxford
Mehta P (1980) Significance of plasma β-thromboglobuline values in patients with sickle cell disease. J Pediatrics 97: 941–944
Phillips G, Mitchell LB, Pizzo SV (1988) Defective release of tissue plasminogen activator in patients with sickle cell anemia. Am J Hematol 29: 52–53
Serjeant GR (1985) Sickle cell disease. Oxford University Press, Oxford
Westwick J, Watson-Williams EJ, Krishnamurthi S, Marks G, Ellis V, Scully MF, White JM, Kakkar VV (1983) Platelet activation during steady state sickle cell disease. J Med 14: 17–36
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Adamides, S., Konstantopoulos, K., Toumbis, M. et al. A study of β-thromboglobulin and platelet factor-4 plasma levels in steady state sickle cell patients. Blut 61, 245–247 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01744139
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01744139