[Platelet aggregation and coenzyme Q10 content in platelets in cancer patients]

Platelet aggregation, plasma beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) concentration and coenzyme Q10 content in serum and platelets were measured in 45 patients with unresectable carcinoma of the lung and in 7 patients with metastatic pulmonary tumor before and after receiving chemotherapy. A significant increase in the plasma beta-TG concentration in cancer patients (47.4 +/- 18.7 ng/ml) was observed (p less than 0.001) compared to the controls (30.3 +/- 9.2 ng/ml). Serum coenzyme Q10 content was lower in cancer patients (0.42 +/- 0.19 micrograms/ml) (p less than 0.05) compared to the controls (0.57 +/- 0.24 micrograms/ml). The reason of decrease in serum coenzyme Q10 content in cancer patients was difficult to explain. No significant difference of the coenzyme Q10 content in platelets (1 X 10(8) cells) was observed either cancer patients (12.5 +/- 2.8 ng) or the controls (12.6 +/- 2.1 ng). No significant correlation was noted among platelet aggregation, plasma beta-TG concentration and coenzyme Q10 content in serum and platelets. Administration of either vindesine or KW2083 did not influence the coenzyme Q10 content in platelets. These results suggest that ATP synthetic pathway by oxidative phosphorylation in platelet be maintained in cancer patients, although a significant increase of plasma beta-TG concentration appears to be associated with an acceleration in the metabolic turnover of platelet.