Development and evaluation of an automatic method for the study of platelet osmotic response

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gigout, T. | Blondel, W. | Didelon, J. | Latger, V. | Dumas, D. | Schooneman, F. | Stoltz, J.F.^{; *}

Affiliations: AngioHématologie-Hémorhéologie, UMR CNRS 7563 LEMTA, FR W0070 Biomatériaux CNRS-UHP-INPL-CHU, Faculté de Médecine, BP 184, 54500 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. E-mail: stoltz@hemato.u-nancy.fr.

Abstract: Study of the osmotic resistance to hypotonic medium of platelets has often been suggested as a global test to assess the viability of these cells in transfusion or to study modification during haematological pathologies. A number of authors have analysed the behaviour of platelets in hypotonic media by a variety of methods (cell count, determinations of substances released, morphology, etc.), but most studies are currently based on the so-called “Hypotonic Shock Response” test (HSR). In this study, the authors describe a new automated and reproducible apparatus, called fragilimeter, using slow dialysis to assess platelet osmotic resistance. The variations in light transmission through a platelet suspension according to ionic strength are linked to the change in cellular volume and lysis and characterise the osmotic behaviour of the cells. The results revealed the good reproducibility and sensibility of the technique. This apparatus allows also the realisation of the “HSR” test.

Keywords: Platelets, osmotic resistance, dialysis, optical methods

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1999-7505

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 371-380, 1999