The influence of erythrocyte and thrombocyte content on the release of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in whole blood was tested. Citrated bloo
d from 39 healthy persons was diluted gradually. The release reaction
was induced by arachidonic acid (1.25 mM, adenosine diphosphate (ADP;
30 mu M) and collagen (1.0 and 5.0 mu g/ml). The peak of the obtained
curves was transformed into percent values of the maximal deflection b
y the undiluted sample (PEAK IN RELATION) and into ATP concentrations
(ABSOLUTE PEAK). By rising dilution an increase of the peak in relatio
n with all inducers was observed which was mainly due to the luminesce
nce-optical effect. As expected the absolute peak decreased but only u
nder arachidonic acid and collagen. Under ADP despite of the rising di
lution constant amounts of ATP were released suggesting an additional
release from other blood cells. High ATP release curves in response to
ADP were observed in patients with pancytopenia and with thrombocytop
enia when compared to healthy persons. ADP seems not to be suited for
the measurement of ATP release reaction in whole blood. Collagen at a
final concentration of 1.0 mu g/ml was found as the optimal inducer. T
he ATP standard is essential for the quantification of release reactio
n. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd