Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
10:32
Treatment of Platelet Products with Riboflavin and UV Light: Effectiveness Against High Titer Bacterial Contamination
Published on: August 24, 2015
Changes in blood platelets exposed to UV-B radiation
1Department of General Biochemistry, University of Lodz, Poland.
Summary
UV-B radiation triggers platelet activation and lipid peroxidation in pig blood, releasing compounds without causing cell lysis. This suggests UV-B partially activates platelets via secretion and arachidonate metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis and thrombosis.
- UV-B radiation is known to affect various cellular processes.
- Platelet activation involves complex signaling pathways and release of granular contents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of UV-B radiation on pig blood platelet activation.
- To compare UV-B-induced platelet responses with those induced by thrombin, a known platelet agonist.
- To assess UV-B-induced platelet lipid peroxidation and the release of platelet components.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of pig blood platelets to UV-B radiation (312 nm) at varying doses.
- Measurement of platelet lipid peroxidation using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay.
- Quantification of adenine nucleotides and protein release from irradiated platelets.
- Assessment of platelet lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the extracellular medium as a marker of cell lysis.
- Comparison of UV-B effects with those induced by thrombin stimulation.
Main Results:
- UV-B radiation induced a dose-dependent increase in platelet lipid peroxidation.
- Exposure to UV-B caused a dose-dependent release of adenine nucleotides and proteins from platelets.
- The release of platelet compounds did not correlate with LDH activity, indicating minimal cell lysis.
- UV-B radiation partially activated platelets, stimulating their secretory process and arachidonate metabolism.
Conclusions:
- UV-B radiation can directly affect platelet function, leading to activation and oxidative stress.
- Platelet activation by UV-B radiation involves the release of stored compounds and altered metabolism.
- UV-B-induced platelet responses are distinct from those caused by complete cell lysis.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Nucleotide Excision Repair
Overview
01:35Mutations
Mutations are changes in the sequence of DNA. These changes can occur spontaneously or they can be induced by exposure to environmental factors. Mutations can be characterized in a number of different ways: whether and how they alter the amino acid sequence of the protein, whether they occur over a small or large area of DNA, and whether they occur in somatic cells or germline cells.
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
01:38Nucleotide Excision Repair
DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
01:18Structure and Function of Platelets
The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
01:22Formation of the Platelet Plug
The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...