[A histochemical evaluation of thrombocyte metabolism in systemic lupus erythematosus]

To determine feasibility of using quantitative histochemical assessment of platelet anaerobic metabolism in lupus nephritis (LN) prognostication and elucidation of its activity, the authors examined 23 SLE patients. 20 of them developed renal lesions. Anaerobic metabolism of platelets was measured according to lactate dehydrogenase levels. All the SLE patients had significantly higher levels of the enzyme than healthy controls showed. Maximal LDG activity was registered in rapidly progressive LN with thrombocytopenia. The findings support activation of platelet hemostatic component in SLE patients and valid utilization of a new quantitative histochemical technique for determination of intracellular metabolism enzymes content.