Intraplatelet serotonin, β-thromboglobulin, and histamine concentrations and thromboxane A₂ synthesis in renal disease

Intraplatelet serotonin (5-HT), β-thromboglobulin (β-TG), and histamine content as well as platelet total thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) synthesizing capacity were measured in 53 patients with chronic renal disease: nephrotic syndrome (n = 18); end-stage renal failure (ESRF; n = 13); continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD; n = 9); hemodialysis (HD; n = 13). These indices of platelet function were correlated with plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) concentrations. When compared with controls, intraplatelet 5-HT was significantly reduced in all patient groups studied and β-TG was diminished in all patient groups except CAPD. Total platelet TXA₂ synthesizing capacity was increased in ESRF and HD groups. Intraplatelet histamine content was not altered in any of the patient groups studied. There was a significant inverse correlation between intraplatelet 5-HT content on the one hand and plasma TC, LDL-C, and TG on the other. The depletion of intraplatelet 5-HT and β-TG and the increase in total TXA₂ synthesizing capacity are consistent with platelet activation in chronic renal disease. The correlation between these indices of platelet activation and TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG suggests that changes in the concentrations of these lipids may contribute to the activation of platelets in these conditions.