[Lectin-dependent platelet aggregation and agglutination in patients with unstable angina]

It is necessary to study the membrane receptors of platelets to understand the mechanism of their aggregation for effective treatment of patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). The aim of this paper is to estimate the significance of carbohydrate residues of the glycoprotein receptors of platelet membranes and thrombogenesis in patients with unstable angina (UA). A total of 142 patients with UA and 20 healthy individuals were examined. The carbohydrate structure of platelet membranes was studied using lectins. Lectin-dependent platelet aggregation in patients with US was found to be associated with the activation of intracellular systems and to be fibrinogen/GP IIb/IIIa-dependent. The patients with US had elevated levels of fusoco-, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-, and mannosamine-specific carbohydrate residues onto the platelet membrane surface. Higher platelet capacity for agglutination and aggregation by altering the carbohydrate specificity of GP IIb/IIIa receptors may be one of the causes of thrombogenesis in patients with US.