Comparative Analysis of Platelet Isolation Techniques for the In Vivo Study of the Microcirculation

Abstract

Density gradient centrifugation-isolated platelets, but not Sepharose column-isolated platelets, are activated already under resting conditions and induce in vivo a platelet-leukocyte-endothelial cell-associated inflammatory response. Thus, we propose that the method of platelet isolation using the Sepharose column is superior to the density gradient centrifugation technique and might therefore be preferred for in vitro and in vivo assays to study platelet function.