Comparison of Maternal Platelets in Preeclampsia and Normotensive Pregnancies: An Ultrastructural Study

Year 2013, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 9 - 15, 01.06.2013

Elif Erdem Murat Akkus Selcuk Tunik Yusuf Nergiz Mehmet Siddik Evsen Mehmet Zeki Taner

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria occuring after the 20th week of
gestation. The purpose of this study was to compare the ultrastructural changes occuring in platelets of
preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women.
Method: Venous blood samples of whom 20 with preeclampsia and 20 of normotensive, for platelets
extraction were firstly centrifuged. After prefixation and postfixation, was dehydrated at the increased
alcohol degrees, left in infiltration and blocked. Then, semi-thin sections taken with ultramicrotome were
stained with toludine blue. The assesment was made through light microscope following thin sections being
taken and stained with contrast, platelets were examined ultrastructurally and their electron micrographs
were taken.
Results: In the preeclampsia group the number of alpha and dense granules decreased, to a great extent,
and the structures of channel systems in tubular structure, were observed to be irregular.
Conclusion: It is clearly seen that preeclampsia induces cellular damage in platelets and in case of
aggravation in preeclampsia, it may cause significant changes in cell membranes of platelets and
cytoplasmic organelles.

Keywords

Preeclampsia, platelets, ultrastructural structure

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