Platelet function and interferon alpha-2a treatment in essential thrombocythaemia.

Abstract

The effects of interferon (IFN) alpha-2a treatment on platelet function were evaluated in 20 patients affected by essential thrombocythaemia (ET). Baseline data documented the well-known abnormalities of in vitro platelet aggregation and the constant presence of a delta-storage pool deficiency. The therapy in all patients reduced the platelet count, and in the majority of them caused a partial improvement of in vitro platelet aggregation. Although the mean intraplatelet ADP level improved during treatment, it always remained below the normal range documenting persistence of the delta-storage pool deficiency. The plasma beta-TG levels, which initially were high, significantly decreased during treatment, but the beta-TG ratio and the platelet beta-TG values always remained within the normal range--this suggests an absence of platelet activation either before or during therapy. Our results demonstrate that, despite significantly reducing the platelet count, IFN alpha-2a treatment only partially corrects the qualitative platelet abnormalities in ET.

• Authors: L Catani, L Gugliotta, M L Cascione, M Mattioli Belmonte, N Vianelli, A R Belardinelli, S Tura
• Journal: European journal of haematology (Eur J Haematol) Vol. 46 Issue 3 Pg. 158-62 (Mar 1991) ISSN: 0902-4441 [Print] England
• PMID: 1826272 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interferon Type I
• beta-Thromboglobulin
• Platelet Factor 4
• Adenosine Diphosphate
• Adenosine Triphosphate
• Collagen
• Epinephrine

Topics

• Adenosine Diphosphate (analysis, pharmacology)
• Adenosine Triphosphate (analysis)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Blood Platelets (chemistry, drug effects)
• Collagen (pharmacology)
• Epinephrine (pharmacology)
• Female
• Humans
• Interferon Type I (pharmacology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Platelet Aggregation (drug effects)
• Platelet Count (drug effects)
• Platelet Factor 4 (analysis)
• Platelet Storage Pool Deficiency (drug therapy)
• Thrombocythemia, Essential (drug therapy)
• beta-Thromboglobulin (analysis)