BETA-THROMBOGLOBULIN AND PLATELET AGGREGATES IN GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Abstract

Circulating platelet aggregate ratios (CPAR) and plasma .beta.-thromboglobulin (B-TG) concentrations were determined in 53 patients with chronic progressive glomerulonephritis [mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (15) and focal and segmental hyalinosis and sclerosis (38)], and were compared with those from normal subjects and patients with no evidence of renal disease. The mean B-TG concentration was higher in patient controls [32.6 .+-. 6.2 ng/ml (SEM [standard error of the mean])] than in normal subjects [19.0 .+-. 2.0 ng/ml (SEM)]; this did not reach significance (P < 0.10 > 0.05). Nephritic patients had markedly elevated levels [49.8 .+-. 4.0 ng/ml (SEM)]; B-TG was significantly correlated with renal impairment. Elevated B-TG levels in patients with nephritis may reflect renal impairment or ill-health. The mean CPAR of the nephritic patients [0.75 .+-. 0.02 (SEM)] was lower than that of normal [0.86 .+-. 0.03 (SEM), P < 0.001] and patient controls [0.87 .+-. 0.02 (SEM), P < 0.001]. CPAR was not correlated with renal function or platelet concentration. Low CPAR in nephritic subjects provides further evidence for in-vivo activation of platelets in patients with glomerulonephritis.