Platelet membrane fluidity,platelet membrane lipid pattern and platelet cytosolic Ca 2+ content in subjects with vascular atherosclerotic disease

Abstract

In a group of subjects with vascular atherosclerotic disease (VAD) we examined the platelet membrane fluidity (obtained marking intact resting platelets with TMA-DPH), the platelet membrane cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (C/PL - using column chromatography), the platelet membrane individual phospholipids (employing the thin layer chromatography) and the platelet cytosolic Ca²⁺ content (evaluated marking intact resting platelets with Fura 2-AM). From the obtained data, it is evident that platelet membrane fluidity differentiates normals from VAD subjects. Platelet membrane lipid pattern (C/PL and individual phospholipids) and cytosolic Ca²⁺ content do not discriminate normals from VAD subjects. In normals the polarization degree of TMA-DPH is significantly correlated to the phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine, while in VAD subjects no relationship is present between the polarization degree of TMA-DPH and the platelet metabolic parameters.