Feasibility Study for Long-Term Storage and Hemostatic Effectiveness of Platelet Membrane Fractions Prepared from Human Platelet Concentrates

摘要

This project studied the possible role of platelet membrane on hemostatic function in vivo. Platelet membrane concentrates were prepared from fresh rabbit platelets, stored for up to 6 months at -60C, thawed and transfused into thrombocytopenic rabbits. Significant reductions in microvascular bleeding times were observed up to 24 hours posttransfusion, with the greatest corrections at 4 hours. Platelet counts, Factor V, Factor VIII, fibrin degradation products and fibrinogen in animals transfused with membrane were unchanged over controls, suggesting a direct effect of platelet membrane on bleeding time sites. Greater correction of bleeding times in animals with moderate rather than severe levels of thrombocytopenia also suggested potentiation of impact platelet function by transfused membrane. Administration of platelet membrane also stimulated platelet production in thrombocytopenic animals who otherwise would not have resumed platelet production. The data shows that platelet membrane and lysed platelets in transfusion products may contribute to a hemostatic response and that corrections in bleeding times are not always associated with an increase in circulating platelet count.