Correlations between age-dependent protein and lipid concentrations in plasma and platelet functions in children.

The correlations between the levels of various plasma proteins and lipids and platelet function on glass and platelet factor 3 (PF 3)-availability in children of different age-groups were investigated. Several statistically significant positive and some significant negative correlations were found. Although conclusions based solely on such correlations should be considered with reservation, in our opinion the following factors should stimulate platelet function: prealbumin (adhesion and PF 3-availability in all age-groups, aggregation--specifically for children in puberty); alpha 1-antitrypsin (PF 3-availability); alpha 2-macroglobulin (platelet spreading capacity, PF 3-availability); plasminogen (platelet adhesion and aggregation--specifically for boys in puberty); caeruloplasmin (number of "free adhering platelets" spreading capacity); lysolecithin and lecithin (time-dependent increase of spontaneous platelet adhesion and aggregation, PF 3-availability); and free fatty acids (FFA) (PF 3-availability). Plasminogen and complement component C'3 show a negative relationship to the time-dependent increase of spontaneous platelet adhesiveness and aggregability in platelet-rich plasma.