A New Method for Measuring the Dynamic Shape Change of Platelets

BACKGROUND: Platelet shape change is a dynamic process that has been classified in different types. Exact documentation of platelet structure needs an improved method of measuring platelet shape. METHODS: 10 μl of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from anticoagulated whole blood (3.2% buffered sodium citrate 0.105 mol/l) was put onto a glass slide covered with a cover slip. By use a of dark field light microscope connected with a CMOS-Camera a photographic snap-shot was taken after 5 and 30 min. Diameter of platelets and length of filopodia were measured with a self-developed plugin for ImageJ software. Statistic calculation was performed with Excel WinSTAT Microsoft software. RESULTS: We showed a swelling of the granulomer from 2.06 ± 0.56 μm to 2.33 ± 0.59 μm (p < 0.05), a reduction of pseudopodia (2.10 ± 0.94 vs. 1.78 ± 1.04 μm; p < 0.05) in conjunction with an increase of hyalomer diameter from 3.29 ± 0.83 to 3.50 ± 0.85 μm (p < 0.05), and an increase of pseudopodia length from 2.68 ± 1.45 μm to 3.67 ± 1.79 μm (p < 0.005) in conjunction with an increase of hyalomer diameter from 6.58 ± 1.91 μm to 7.94 ± 1.87 μm (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We revealed and documented a dynamic change of platelet size and filopodia structure in PRP. This method allows an exact analysis of platelet size and surface structures.