Increased plasma levels of soluble CD40 ligand correlate with platelet activation markers and underline the need for standardized pre-analytical conditions

• Published in: Clinical biochemistry Vol. 43; no. 7; pp. 666 - 670
• Main Authors: Riondino, Silvia, Martini, Francesca, La Farina, Francesca, Spila, Antonella, Guadagni, Fiorella, Ferroni, Patrizia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.05.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aspirin; Aspirin - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood coagulation; Blood Platelets - drug effects; Blood Platelets - metabolism; CD40 Ligand - blood; Female; Hematology; Humans; Immunoassay; In Vitro Techniques; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Light transmission aggregometry; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; P-Selectin - blood; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Platelet Activation - drug effects; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors - pharmacology; Platelets; sCD40L; sP-selectin; Light transmission aggregometry; sCD40L; Aspirin; sP-selectin; Platelets; Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase; Biological marker; Acetylsalicylic acid; Soluble form; Blood plasma; Aggregometry; Pre analytical step; Salicylates; Selectin; Platelet activation; Enzyme; Cell adhesion molecule; Enzyme inhibitor; Light transmission; Antiplatelet agent; Non steroidal antiinflammatory agent; Platelet; Analgesic; CD40 ligand; Platelet function; Antipyretic; Oxidoreductases
• ISSN: 0009-9120; 1873-2933
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2009.12.021

To investigate whether sCD40L dosage might represent a useful tool to explore in vivo platelet function. sCD40L and sP-selectin levels and light transmission aggregometry (LTA) were analyzed in 69 healthy donors. Immunoassays were performed on platelet-depleted citrate plasma samples. The effects of in vitro aspirin treatment on the release of sCD40L were investigated in 15 subjects following platelet stimulation. The effects of a 1-month therapeutic course of low-dose aspirin on sP-selectin and sCD40L levels were also investigated. A significant correlation was observed between sCD40L and sP-selectin ( p < 0.01). In vitro aspirin treatment remarkably decreased sCD40L levels following platelet activation by exogenous agonists. sCD40L directly correlated with LTA (Rho = 0.62, p < 0.0001). In vivo aspirin treatment significantly reduced both sP-selectin and sCD40L levels (both p < 0.01) in a direct correlation (Rho = 0.66, p < 0.05). Citrated plasma samples reflect sCD40L released from platelets, thus yielding the most valid estimates of in vivo circulating levels of this platelet activation markers.