Platelet Analysis Service
InquiryOverview of Relationship Between Platelets and Obesity
The increasing prevalence of obesity has emerged as a significant global public health challenge. Obesity is associated with the onset and progression of platelet-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis, venous thromboembolism, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Obesity, characterized by excess body fat accumulation, involves the proliferation and differentiation of pre-adipocytes. Protheragen's deeper Identification and Analysis of Obesity Biomarker could offer novel insights for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its associated complications. It has been demonstrated a positive correlation between platelet counts and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in humans. Platelets, which are anucleate, disc-shaped cells, circulate in the bloodstream and are readily available for cellular interactions during their rapid systemic flow.
Protheragen offers a platelet analysis service that plays a crucial role in the field of anti-obesity therapeutics by providing detailed insights into platelet functions and their interactions with other biological systems. Platelets, known for their roles in blood clotting, also contribute to various physiological processes. Understanding these functions through platelet analysis helps clients identify potential targets for developing anti-obesity therapeutics. This data is essential for both anti-obesity therapy development and preclinical studies of anti-obesity therapeutics, as it allows us to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new treatments by assessing their impact on platelet activity and overall metabolic health.
Targets for Developing Anti-Obesity Therapeutics | Anti-Obesity Therapy Development | Preclinical Studies of Anti-Obesity Therapeutics |
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Platelets Lead the Way: Discovering Paths to Weight Health
Blood Collection
We establish the desired obesity model for our clients or directly analyze blood samples provided by them. If using our obesity model, we anesthetize rats using a Ketamine/Xylazine cocktail via intraperitoneal injection to ensure they are unconscious during the procedure. We make a small incision along the linea alba to access the vena cava and then draw blood using a syringe preloaded with an anticoagulant solution to prevent clotting.
Platelet Isolation
We transfer the collected blood to collection tubes containing a pre-warmed anticoagulant solution and centrifuge the tubes at a moderate speed and room temperature to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. Following this, the tubes stand vertically for a brief interval to enhance the sedimentation of erythrocytes. With meticulous precision, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is harvested from the upper stratum of the tubes and amalgamated into a larger vessel. To inhibit platelet activation, prostacyclin is introduced into the PRP, and the mixture is subjected to a second centrifugation at an elevated speed and room temperature, further purifying the platelets. The pelleted platelets are then suspended in a buffer solution that includes an anticoagulant and a physiological medium. Enumeration of the platelets is performed, and another centrifugation is conducted in the presence of prostacyclin to ensure maximal purity. Finally, the platelet concentration is adjusted to the desired level, and the suspension is allowed to equilibrate at room temperature.
Flow Cytometry Assays
Flow cytometry assays are used to validate the quality of platelet isolation and measure the percentage and size of platelets. We dilute the washed platelets in a diluent solution and analyze them using a flow cytometer to validate the quality of the platelet isolation. The percentage of platelets and other blood cells, as well as the size of the platelets, is measured using the forward scatter (FSC) parameter.
Platelet Static Adhesion Assays
Then, assess the adhesion ability of platelets on specific surfaces (e.g., collagen and fibrinogen). We coat 96-well assay plates with collagen and fibrinogen overnight to provide a surface for platelet adhesion. The plates are then blocked with a solution to prevent non-specific adhesion. The washed platelets are added to the coated plates and incubated at a physiological temperature to allow adhesion. Unbound platelets are removed by washing, and adhered platelets are detected using a substrate solution and measured by absorbance.
Workflow
Applications
- Our service can be used to understand the mechanisms of obesity-induced inflammation.
- Our service can be used in the development of obesity treatment drugs, analyzing the effects of drugs on platelet function to assess their safety and efficacy.
- Our service can be used for studying platelet interactions with endothelial cells helps understand the vascular health implications of obesity.
Advantages
- We establish customized obesity models for our clients or directly analyze provided blood samples. This flexibility ensures that our services are tailored to meet specific research needs.
- Our platelet isolation process is meticulous and includes multiple steps to ensure maximal purity and functionality of the platelets.
- Our team of experts in platelet biology and obesity research brings extensive knowledge and experience, ensuring that our services are of the highest quality and relevance to current scientific challenges.
Publication Data
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70162-3
Journal: Scientific Reports
Published: 2020
IF: 3.8
Result: In this article, the authors explore the underlying mechanisms of platelet dysfunction in the context of obesity by employing a diet-induced obesity (DIO) rat model. A standardized protocol for blood extraction and platelet isolation in rats is meticulously established, and the findings are juxtaposed with prior data derived from severely obese human subjects. The outcomes indicate that the DIO rat model faithfully mirrors the pathological alterations associated with obesity, including substantial weight augmentation, heightened fasting glucose levels, and elevated platelet concentrations. An inclination towards elevated quantities of the primed form of Src (pTyr419) within DIO rat platelets is discerned, positing a potential aberration within the Src family kinases (SFKs) signaling pathways under obesity conditions. Additionally, platelets isolated from DIO rats display augmented adherence to collagen, a phenomenon that aligns with previous human investigations and underscores a dysfunction of glycoprotein VI (GPVI). These results affirm the dysregulation of platelets in obesity and emphasize the importance of envisaging GPVI as a plausible target for the development of antithrombotic therapies tailored for obese individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What physiological activities do platelets participate in?
Platelets also contribute to a myriad of physiological and pathophysiological processes, including inflammation, immunity, wound healing, and angiogenesis. Activated platelets release a plethora of proteins and small molecules, such as growth factors and bioactive substances, which are essential for cell growth.
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What is the morphology of platelets?
Platelets are small, discoid-shaped blood cells that lack a nucleus. They typically measure between 2 to 3 micrometers in diameter.
Protheragen's platelet analysis service plays a pivotal role in advancing research in this area. By providing comprehensive insights into platelet behavior and their interactions with other biological systems, our service aids in the identification of potential therapeutic targets for obesity and related disorders. If you want to enhance your understanding of the underlying mechanisms linking platelets and obesity, contact us!
Reference
- Barrachina, M.N.; et al. Analysis of platelets from a diet-induced obesity rat model: elucidating platelet dysfunction in obesity. Scientific reports. 2020, 10(1): 13104. (CC BY 4.0)
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.