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Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Preparation of Washed Human Platelets for Quantitative Metabolic Flux Studies
Published on: January 10, 2025
Platelet activation by crushed and uncrushed muscle: a flow cytometry analysis
Alistair Jukes1,2,3, Dijana Miljkovic1,3, P J Wormald1,3
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville South, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Background:
Crushed autologous muscle is used in skull base surgery in the acute phase of major arterial hemorrhage to stop bleeding. The mechanism of this is not yet clear, but is thought to involve the formation of a platelet plug, which seals the vessel wall defect but still allows ongoing blood flow to the brain.
Methods:
In this study we use flow cytometry to replicate the in-vivo actions of crushed muscle on platelets in whole blood. We compare the ratio of activation of platelets exposed to crushed and uncrushed muscle supernatant in control patients and in patients on antiplatelet agents.
Results:
Crushed muscle activated platelets to a higher degree than uncrushed muscle: 5.18-fold greater in control blood (p = 0.002); 6.53-fold greater in aspirin-exposed blood (p < 0.0001); and 9.4-fold greater in clopidogrel-exposed blood (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
Crushed muscle caused a consistently increased ratio of platelet activation when compared with uncrushed muscle across all groups, adding to the evidence that at least part of its clinical effect is the result of platelet activation.
