Zinc Content of Human Platelets

Abstract

The zinc, content of serum was consistently higher than the zinc concentration in plasma by an average of 16%. Because platelets are largely disintegrated in the clotting process, zinc was determined in platelets concentrated from 10 individuals and was present in a significant amount. It was demonstrated that 39% of the increased concentration of zinc in serum can be attributed to a slightly greater dilution in plasma, 44% being derived from platelets and 4.0% from hemolysis. This is the first known report demonstrating zinc in platelets.