AGE-RELATED AUGMENTATION OF STROKE TENDENCY EVALUATED USING PLASMA P-SELECTIN LEVELS

Plasma soluble P-selectin is thought to be a useful marker for thrombo tic diseases. To evaluate the thrombotic state and risk of stroke in a ged healthy subjects, we investigated plasma P-selectin levels in heal thy subjects and ischemic stroke patients. Plasma P-selectin was measu red in 67 healthy subjects and 35 aged (greater than or equal to 65 ye ars of age) patients with chronic ischemic stroke using a sandwich enz yme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma P-selectin was signific antly higher in aged (greater than or equal to 65 years of age) health y subjects than in young (<65 years of age) healthy subjects. Signific ant difference did not exist between aged healthy subjects and aged st roke patients who were not receiving anti-platelet agents. Anti-platel et agent had no significant effect on plasma P-selectin levels in aged stroke patients. The amounts of P-selectin released from platelets in to the plasma after stimulation with adenosin diphosphate in young and aged healthy subjects were not significantly different. Elevated leve ls of P-selectin in aged healthy subjects suggests the existence of a subclinical thrombotic state which can result in a stroke. Elevated P- selectin levels are not thought to be due to platelet hyperfunction. C opyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.