The kinetics of platelet production and destruction in man

Abstract

Platelets are derived from the cytoplasm of mature marrow megakaryocytes through cytoplasmic demarcation by invaginating plasma membrane and fragmentation of cytoplasmic protrusions into marrow sinusoids. Thereafter, platelets survive in the circulation for about 9 to 10 days. Platelet production is regulated to meet the demands for circulating platelets by means of humoral stimulation. Mean platelet volume, about 10 fl, remains constant over a wide range of survival times and production rates. In normal individuals platelets are produced at a rate of 35 X 10(9)/1/day (or 2.5 X 10(10) fl/kg body wt.) and reflect directly the marrow megakaryocyte cytoplasmic mass. Platelets have important roles in haemostasis, arterial thrombogenesis, wound healing and atherogenesis. Measurements of platelet survival are useful as an in vivo indicator of platelet participation in pathogenesis and pharmacological prevention of these processes. At present platelet survival is most reliably determined by in vitro radiochromium population labelling. 51Cr-platelet disappearance curves require objective unbiased analysis, preferably by non-linear gamma function least squares computer fitting procedures.