Effect of laser welding with human serum albumin on the expression of P-selectin on platelets

Background and Objective: Artery repair by means of laser energy induces ac tivation of platelets with a risk of thrombosis and local inflammatory reac tions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of human serum a lbumin, the most common solder in laser surgery, oil platelet activation. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Platelet activation was evaluated in ca nine blood by using two-color flow cytometry with a phycoerythrin-labeled a ntibody to a common platelet marker, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibody to a platelet activation molecule, P-select in. Human serum albumin was applied in vitro and in vivo, as a solder durin g laser reconstruction of canine arteries. Results: In vitro, albumin significantly (P < 0.01) reduces the expression of P-selectin on platelets. This is most likely related to the blockage of P-selectin by albumin, which binds to the platelet surface, as confirmed by flow cytometry with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled albumin. In vivo, a pplication of albumin solder tended to result in a lower percentage of P-se lectin-expressing platelets in laser-repaired arteries compared to suture-r epaired arteries. Conclusion: Albumin decreases the percentage of P-selectin-expressing plate lets in vitro. Further research may allow the platelet activation inhibitin g properties of albumin to be further optimized in vivo. Lasers Surg. Med. 25:438-444, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.