Circulating platelet-leukocyte aggregates in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis are considered to be chronic inflammatory disorders implicated with recurrent tissue damage to the intestine. There is a positive correlation between platelet-leukocyte aggregates and ischemic vascular risk. There are limited data about the relationship between platelet leukocyte aggregates and IBD. This study was designed to determine whether platelet-leukocyte aggregates increase in IBD, and whether a relationship exists between the elevation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates and disease activity. Methods: A total of 20 patients with IBD (16 with ulcerative colitis and 4 with Crohn's disease) and 20 healthy controls participated in our study. Nine patients were in active-phase IBD, whereas 11 patients were in inactive phase. To show the presence of thrombocyte aggregates, the monoclonal antibodies such as Isotype IgG1 mouse antihuman CD42b-PE (phycoerythrin) (Beckman Coulter IMI417), Isotype IgG1 mouse antihuman CD45-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) (Beckman Coulter IM0782), and Isotype IgG2a mouse antihuman CD45RO-FITC (Beckman Coulter IMI247) were used. Additionally, the values of platelet-neutrophil aggregates were measured in peripheral blood samples using flow cytometry techniques. Results: The levels of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in blood samples were found to be significantly higher during both the active and inactive phases in patients with IBD. There were no statistically significant differences between active-phase and inactive-phase patients. Conclusion: We determined that the patient group had significantly higher platelet-leukocyte aggregate levels compared with the control group. This finding suggests that platelet-leukocyte aggregates may play a role in the development of IBD. Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Taiwan LLC and the Chinese Medical Association. All rights reserved.