Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in human platelets and its effect on platelet aggregation

Platelets from patients with known red blood cell G-6-PD deficiency were investigated to find out whether this genetic defect is associated with changes in platelet aggregation. The enzyme defect in platelets could be verified by a decreased G-6-PD activity which was as low as 15% compared to control subjects. The decreased enzyme activity was reflected by lowered levels of NADPH and GSH and by a diminished maximum capacity of the hexose monophosphate shunt. Aggregation measurements in platelet-rich plasma from deficient patients revealed an enhanced dose response to ADP which was higher by about one order of magnitude compared to controls. The same effect was observed in a smaller degree in arachidonic acid induced aggregation.