Lactate dehydrogenase leakage as indicator of blood platelet lysis by phospholipases A2: possible sources of error

Quantification of adherent platelets on polymer-based biomaterials. Comparison of colorimetric and microscopic assessment

BACKGROUND

Platelet adhesion to artificial surfaces is one of the most important indicators for the thrombogenicity of implant materials. Currently, a variety of enzyme activity-based colorimetric assays or microscopy-based techniques are commonly in use to assess this characteristic. Studies about how data of colorimetric assays correlate with the image-based quantification of adherent platelets are scarce. To address this question, the present study compared two colorimetric assays (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and acid phosphatase (ACP)) with an image-based quantification of the density of platelets adhering on polymer-based biomaterial surfaces.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tri-sodium citrated whole blood was collected from apparently healthy subjects and platelet rich plasma (PRP) was prepared according to a standardized protocol. An in vitro static thrombogenicity test was applied to study platelet adhesion from PRP adjusted to 50,000 platelets per μL on three different polymers: medical grade polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). For the direct image-based approach, surface adherent platelets were fixed, fluorescently labelled and microscopically visualized. The image-based determination of platelet densities provided reference values for the comparison with data of the colorimetric assays. Correlation between standard platelet concentrations and ACP/LDH absorbance measurements were analysed to estimate accuracy and association of both parameters. ACP and LDH release from resting and ADP-stimulated platelets was studied to estimate how platelet activation influences colorimetric assay results.

RESULTS

The density of adherent platelets ranged from 15,693 ± 2,487 platelets·mm-2 (PTFE) to 423 ± 99 platelets·mm-2 (silicone) and 4,621 ± 1,427 platelets·mm-2 (PET) and differed significantly between the three polymers (ANOVA: p <  0.05). Correlation coefficients between microscopic and colorimetric determination of platelet densities ranged between r = 0.93 (LDH, p <  0.001) and r = 0.94 (ACP, p <  0.001). ACP absorbance measurements of platelet standards with different concentrations corresponded well to an ideal linear regression, while LDH data either deceeded or exceeded the expected values. The LDH release during ADP-induced platelet activation was significantly higher compared to the release of ACP.

CONCLUSION

For an adjusted platelet concentration of 50,000 platelets·μL-1, both colorimetric assays (ACP and LDH) allowed a similar accurate quantification of the mean platelet density compared to the microscopic evaluation. Better linearity of the assay standards, less variability of the results and a lower influence of platelet activation on the measurements mark the ACP assay as more suitable for the assessment of material surface adherent platelets compared to the LDH assay, particularly, if near physiological platelet concentrations are applied.

Lactate dehydrogenase release as an indicator of dithranol-induced membrane injury in cultured human keratinocytes. A time profile study

HaCaT cells, a rapidly multiplying human keratinocyte line, were tested for their sensitivity to antipsoriatic dithranol with regard to classical proliferation parameters and for the drug's action on the plasma membrane integrity by the dose- and time-dependent release of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In the case of 3H thymidine as well as 14C amino acid incorporation the 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) was 0.2 microM dithranol 24 h after initial exposure to the drug. For protein content of attached cells the IC50 proved to be greater than 3.0 microM. Using 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 microM dithranol, significant (p less than 0.05) dose dependent LDH release of 0.866 +/- 0.387, 1.842 +/- 1.127 and 2.938 +/- 1.635 mU per hour and cm2 confluent culture area was measured between the 5th and the 24th hour, compared to an acetone control of 0.504 +/- 0.299 mU/h x cm2. Between the 2nd and the 4th hour as well as from the 25th to the 48th hour and the 49th to the 72nd hour the LDH release after dithranol treatment did not exceed the control value. In accordance with these findings dose-dependent morphological signs of cell injury were detected by phase contrast microscopy beyond the 4th hour. The data reveal that: HaCaT cells are a very sensitive target for the antiproliferative action of dithranol; the drug causes considerable plasma membrane damage even at concentrations as low as 0.3 microM; and this membrane damage becomes evident after a latency of at least 4 h and for a limited period of up to 24 h.