Summary
The pathophysiology of ischaemic stroke involves the platelet. In this study, we hypothesised
that abnormalities in platelet morphology, as well as soluble (sPsel) and total platelet
P-selectin (pPsel) levels would be present in patients presenting with an acute ischaemic
stroke, and that these changes would improve at ≥ 3 months’ follow-up. We studied
59 hypertensive patients (34 male; mean age 68± 12 years) who presented with an acute
ischaemic stroke (ictus< 24 hours), and compared them with 2 groups: (i) age-, sex-and
ethnic-origin matched normotensive healthy controls; and (ii) uncomplicated ‘ high
risk’ hypertensive patients as ‘ risk factor control’ subjects. Platelet morphology
(volume and mass) was quantified, and sPsel (plasma marker of platelet activation)
was measured (ELISA) in citrated plasma. The mass of P-selectin in each platelet (pPsel)
was determined by lysing a fixed number of platelets and then determining the levels
of P-selectin in the lysate. Results show that patients who presented with a stroke
had significantly higher levels of sPsel and pPsel (both p< 0.001), compared to the
normal controls and the hypertensive patients. Patients with an acute stroke had lower
mean platelet mass (MPM) and mean platelet volume (MPV) as compared to the uncomplicated
hypertensive patients, who had significantly higher mean MPM and MPV values, as compared
to normal controls. On follow-up, the levels of both sPsel (p = 0.011), pPsel (< 0.001)
and MPV (p = 0.03) were significantly lower. Mean MPM levels remained unchanged. We
conclude that patients presenting with an acute ischaemic stroke have activated platelets,
as evident by the increased levels of soluble and platelet P-selectin. Further study
of platelet activation and the role of P-selectin is warranted.
Keywords
P-selectin - stroke - hypertension - platelet activation