[Blood platelets as one hemostatic indicator in patients with bronchial asthma]

Phospholipids forming blood platelets membrane are substrates for oxidative phosphorylation in electric and chemical activation of these cells. Beneficial effect of corticosteroids on the course of asthma is connected with inhibition of phospholipase A2. This enzyme is responsible for the generation of allergic reaction membrane mediators like leukotrienes, prostaglandins and other lipoxygenase products. Three groups of asthmatic patients were observed: I group--patients with mild asthma, II group--patients with moderate asthma, III group--patients with severe, corticosteroid-dependent bronchial asthma. Changes of platelets membrane phospholipids structure in these groups of asthmatic patients were analyzed. There were significant differences in membrane phospholipids structure between II and III group of patients and control subjects (p < 0.01).