Background: Platelet shape change is a dynamic process that has been classified in different types. Exact documentation of platelet structure needs an improved method of measuring platelet shape. Methods: 10 ml of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from anticoagulated whole blood (3.2% buffered sodium citrate 0.105 mol/l) was put onto a glass slide covered with a cover slip. By use a of dark field light microscope connected with a CMOS-Camera a photographic snap-shot was taken after 5 and 30 min. Diameter of platelets and length of filopodia were measured with a self-developed plugin for ImageJ software. Statistic calculation was performed with Excel WinSTAT Microsoft software. Results: We showed a swelling of the granulomer from 2.06 ± 0.56 mm to 2.33 ± 0.59 mm (p < 0.05), a reduction of pseudopodia (2.10 ± 0.94 vs. 1.78 ± 1.04 mm; p < 0.05) in conjunction with an increase of hyalomer diameter from 3.29 ± 0.83 to 3.50 ± 0.85 mm (p < 0.05), and an increase of pseudopodia length from 2.68 ± 1.45 mm to 3.67 ± 1.79 mm (p < 0.005) in conjunction with an increase of hyalomer diameter from 6.58 ± 1.91 mm to 7.94 ± 1.87 mm (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We revealed and documented a dynamic change of platelet size and filopodia structure in PRP. This method allows an exact analysis of platelet size and surface structures.

Keywords:
Platelet activation, Platelet function, Platelets, Thrombocytes, Light microscopy, Shape change
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© 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel
2010
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