Alteration of circulatory platelet microparticles and endothelial microparticles in patients with chronic kidney disease

Objective: To compare plasma platelet microparticles (PMPs), P-selectin, endothelial microparticles (EMPs), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) between a normal control group and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to explore the significance of PMPs and EMPs in CKD. Methods: Levels of plasma PMPs, P-selectin, EMPs and vWF in 122 CKD patients and 20 normal controls were detected by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). Relationships between PMPs, EMPs and blood pressure, creatinine clearance rate, 24-hour urine protein, hemoglobin, and cholesterol were analyzed. Results: (1) Plasma PMPs, P-selectin, EMPs and vWF levels in CKD patients were significantly higher than those of the control group. Plasma PMPs and P-selectin levels for nephrotic syndrome (NS) were significantly higher than for other CKD groups. No significant difference was found between other CKD groups. Plasma EMPs and vWF in NS, lupus nephritis (LN) and hypertensive nephropathy groups were significantly higher than that of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) groups. (2) Plasma PMPs, P-selectin, EMPs and vWF in stage I-II CKD patients were significantly higher than those of stage III-V CKD patients, no significant difference was found within stage I-II CKD patients or stage III-V CKD patients. (3) PMPs and EMPs were positively correlated with blood pressure and 24-hour urinary protein, but no significant correlation was found with the creatinine clearance rate, hemoglobin or cholesterol. P-selectin and vWF were positively correlated with PMPs and EMPs respectively. Conclusion: CKD patients have significant platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction, which was involved in CKD's occurrence and development; high blood pressure and proteinuria are important reasons for platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with CKD; PMPs and EMPs can be used as new markers for dysfunctional platelet activation and endothelium.