Validity of Particle-Counting Method Using Laser-Light Scattering for Detecting Platelet Aggregation in Diabetic Patients

We aimed to study the validity of a new analytical approach that reflected the phase from platelet activation to the formation of small platelet aggregates. We hoped that this new approach would enable us to use the particle-counting method with laser-light scattering to measure platelet aggregation in healthy controls and in diabetic patients without complications. We measured agonist-induced platelet aggregation for 10 min. Agonist was added to the platelet-rich plasma 1 min after measurement started. We compared the total scattered light intensity from small aggregates over a 10-min period (established analytical approach) and at over a 2-min period from 1 to 3 min after measurement started (new analytical approach). We found that platelet aggregation in diabetics with HbA(1c) >= 6.5% was significantly greater than in healthy controls by both analytical approaches. However, platelet aggregation in diabetics with HbA(1c) <= 6.5%-patients in the early stages of diabetes-was significantly greater than in healthy controls only by the new analytical approach, not by the established analytical approach. These results suggest that platelet aggregation as detected by the particle-counting method using laser-light scattering could be applied in clinical examinations by our new analytical approach. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(3): 1-8, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.cotn). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10057