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Activation of platelets in bronchial asthma
C Moritani1, S Ishioka, Y Haruta
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
Chest
|March 14, 1998
Summary
Platelets are hyperactive in asthma, releasing more RANTES. Theophylline treatment normalizes this platelet activation in asthmatics, suggesting a therapeutic benefit.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways.
- Platelet activation and mediator release may play a role in asthma pathogenesis.
- Theophylline is a bronchodilator with potential anti-inflammatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if platelets are activated in asthmatics.
- To investigate the release of preformed mediators from activated platelets in asthma.
- To assess the effect of oral theophylline on platelet activation in asthmatics.
Main Methods:
- Compared intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), CD62P expression, and RANTES levels in platelets.
- Studied three groups: normal subjects, asthmatics without medication, and asthmatics on theophylline.
- Stimulated platelets with thrombin or STA2 in the absence of external calcium.
Main Results:
- Asthmatics (without theophylline) showed significantly higher [Ca2+]i, CD62P expression, and RANTES release after stimulation compared to normal subjects and theophylline-treated asthmatics.
- Platelet activation markers were elevated in untreated asthmatics.
- Theophylline administration suppressed these markers of platelet activation.
Conclusions:
- Platelet activation is enhanced in asthmatics, leading to increased release of chemokines like RANTES.
- Oral theophylline can suppress this agonist-mediated platelet activation.
- These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for theophylline in managing asthma-related platelet dysfunction.