In vivo platelet activity and serum albumin concentration in nephrotic syndrome.

To clarify the relationship between serum albumin concentration and in vivo platelet activity in nephrotic syndrome, Beta-thromboglobulin (B-TG) levels and circulating platelet aggregation ratio (PAR) were determined in 25 nephrotic patients. PAR levels were significantly decreased compared with the controls and showed a positive correlation with serum albumin concentrations. The values of B-TG were high in all nephrotic patients and showed an inverse relationship with serum albumin levels. In addition, increased B-TG levels correlated with decreased PAR values. Therefore serum albumin plays a regulatory role in the activity of circulating platelets in the nephrotic syndrome. Prospective longitudinal studies must be done to elucidate the usefulness of platelet inhibitors as a prophylactic therapy of intravascular thrombosis in nephrotic patients.