O tratamento tópico de feridas visa favorecer um processo de cicatrização eficaz, rápido e seguro. Como uma das opções, o Plasma Rico em Plaquetas – PRP - um concentrado de plaquetas obtido por meio de centrifugação sanguínea ou aférese, vem sendo também utilizado no tratamento de feridas por conter os fatores de crescimento plaquetários. Visto que se trata de uma terapia inovadora, este estudo objetivou buscar as evidências sobre o seu uso na terapia tópica de feridas crônicas de perna. Para tanto, realizou-se revisão sistemática de literatura, seguindo-se as etapas preconizadas pela Colaboração Cochrane. Os estudos foram levantados até 2006, por meio dos descritores platelet rich plasma, platelet derived growth factor, platelet gel, platelet releasate, platelet lysate, CT-102 activated supernatant, wound healing, chronic wound, foot ulcer, diabetic foot, e varicose ulcer, utilizando diferentes combinações, conforme a base de dados consultada (Cochrane, PubMed, Lilacs, Embase e Cinahal). Para a análise da validade interna dos estudos, empregaram-se: a Escala de Jadad, Escala de Avaliação do Grau de Recomendação e Evidência e Escala de Avaliação do Controle das Variáveis. De 56 estudos pré-selecionados, chegou-se à amostra de 18 ensaios clínicos, indexados, principalmente, no PubMed/ Medline (17 / 94,5%), originários dos EUA (12 / 66,6%) e publicados em língua inglesa. Desses, sete (39%) eram ensaios clínicos randomizados, que obtiveram forte recomendação (A) e nível de evidência alto. A partir das metanálises desses ensaios randomizados, em diferentes combinações, os resultados mostraram que o PRP favorece o processo de cicatrização (IC95% 1,84 - 7,41), principalmente em úlceras diabéticas (IC95% 2,94 - 20,31), e quando utilizado como CT-102 (IC95% 2,70-41,40). Concluindo, esta revisão sistemática e metanálise mostram que há evidências científicas sobre os resultados favoráveis do uso do PRP em feridas crônicas de perna, principalmente as de etiologia diabética / The wound topical treatment stimulates an effective, fast and safe wound healing. The platelet rich plasma (PRP) – a concentrated of platelets obtained from centrifugation or single apheresis, has been used as the treatment of wounds because it contains platelet derived growth factor. Being a new therapy, the aim of this study is to show some evidence about the effectiveness of PRP on the healing of chronic wound leg. To this test, a systematic review was conducted, as the recommendation of the Cochrane Library. The studies were screened until 2006 using some key words: platelet rich plasma, platelet derived growth factor, platelet gel, platelet releasate, platelet lysate, CT-102 activated supernatant, wound healing, chronic wound, foot ulcer, diabetic foot, and varicose ulcer; with different combinations, according to data base (Cochrane, PubMed, Lilacs, Embase e Cinahal). From 56 studies, 18 were clinical trials, specially found in PubMed (17 / 94,5%), originated in USA (12 / 66,6%) and published in English. Seven (39%) were clinical trials randomized , classified as a strong recommendation (A) with high evidence level. The meta-analysis of these randomized trials, shows the PRP promotion in wound healing (CI 95% 1,84-7,41), mainly in diabetic ulcer (CI 95% 2,70-41,40). To sum up, this study provides a scientific evidence on repair of chronic wound leg, mainly diabetic ulcer, using PRP

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, is one of the leading causes of death due to a single infectious agent and results in more than 1 million human deaths every year. M.tb infection of the host initiates a local inflammatory response, resulting in the migration of a number of host plasma protein and non-protein factors to the site of infection. In addition, some of these factors are also produced locally at the site of infection. It is envisaged that these host factors are likely to come in direct contact with M.tb and immune cells and may modulate the outcome of the infection. In this study, a number of host factors including transferrin, lactoferrin, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M), vitronectin, plasminogen, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), serotonin, L-alpha dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and platelet activating factor C-16 (PAF C-16) were screened in vitro for their direct effect on the growth of mycobacteria using M.smegmatis as a model. As a result of this screening, PAF C-16, a phospholipid compound was identified that directly inhibited the growth of M.smegmatis and M.bovis BCG in a dose and time-dependent manner. Use of a range of PAF C-16 structural analogues, including Lyso-PAF, PAF C-18, Hexanolamino PAF, 2-O-methyl PAF & Pyrrolidino PAF, revealed that small modifications in structure did not alter the direct growth inhibition property of PAF C-16 and similar levels of M.smegmatis and M.bovis BCG growth inhibition were observed as compared to PAF C-16. Structural dissection of PAF C-16 suggested that the attachment of carbon tail to the glycerol backbone via ether bond at sn-1 position was important for its direct growth inhibition activity against mycobacteria. Microscopy and flow cytometry with PAF C-16 treated M.smegmatis and M.bovis BCG showed damage to the bacterial cell membrane. The addition of membrane-stabilizing agents, α-tocopherol, tween-80 and tween-20, partially mitigated the growth inhibitory effect of PAF C-16. These results suggested that the growth inhibition activity of PAF C-16 against mycobacteria is most likely due to its detergent-like effect, resulting in damage to the bacterial cell membrane. PAF C-16 and its structural analogues were also investigated for their effect on the growth of intracellular M.smegmatis inside THP1 cells. In vitro, PAF C-16, PAF C-18 and Hexanolamino PAF inhibited the growth of intracellular M.smegmatis, whereas, analogues such as Lyso-PAF and 2-O-methyl PAF failed to show any growth inhibitory effect, suggesting that the presence of acetyl group at sn-2 position was important for growth inhibition of intracellular M.smegmatis. Use of PAF receptor antagonists partially mitigated the inhibitory effect of PAF C-16 on the growth of intracellular M.smegmatis, suggesting this inhibition was through receptor-mediated signalling pathways. Blocking of PAF C-16 signalling pathway components such as phospholipase C and phospholipase A2, resulted in the increased survival of intracellular M.smegmatis. Arachidonic acid, a product of PAF C-16 signalling pathway directly inhibited the growth of M.smegmatis. Furthermore, inhibition of iNOS enzyme and antibody-mediated neutralization of TNF-α partially mitigated the inhibitory effect of PAF C-16 on intracellular M.smegmatis growth, suggesting that the production of NO and TNF-α were also involved in PAF C-16 induced intracellular growth inhibition. Overall, this study has identified PAF C-16, its structural analogues such as Lyso-PAF, PAF C-18, Hexanolamino PAF and other compounds including 1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycerol, miltefosine and hexadecyl lactate with novel anti-mycobacterial activity. Further investigations are needed to demonstrate their effectiveness against M.tb both in vitro and in animal models to assess their therapeutic potential as anti-TB drugs.

Several studies have shown that complement and thrombotic events co-exist. Platelets have been suspected to act as the bridge between the two cascade systems. To study the platelet-induced complement activation we developed a system in which platelets were activated by thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP) in platelet rich plasma (PRP) or whole blood anti-coagulated using the specific thrombin inhibitor, lepirudin. TRAP-activated platelets induced a fluid-phase complement activation measured as generation of C3a and sC5b-9, triggered by released chondroitin sulphate-A (CS-A) which interacted with C1q and activated the complement system through the classical pathway. Complement components C1q, C3, C4 and C9 were also shown to bind to TRAP-activated platelets but this binding did not seem to be due to a complement activation since blocking of complement activation at the C1q or C3 levels did not affect the binding of the complement proteins. The C3 which bound to activated platelets consisted of C3(H2O), indicating that bound C3 was not proteolytically activated. Binding of C1q was partially dependent on CS-A exposure on activated platelets. The abolished complement activation on the surface of activated platelets was suggested to be dependent on the involvement of several complement inhibitors. We confirmed the binding of C1INH and factor H to activated platelets. To this list we have added another potent complement inhibitor, C4BP. The binding of factor H and C4BP was shown to be dependent on exposure of CS-A on activated platelets. The physiological relevance of these reactions was reflected in an elevated expression of CD11b on leukocytes, and increased generation of platelet-leukocyte complexes. The platelets were involved in these events by at least two different mechanisms; generation of C5a which activated leukocytes and binding of C3(H2O)/iC3(H2O), a ligand to the intergrin CD11b/CD18 on their surface. These mechanisms add further to the understanding of how platelets interact with the complement system and will help us to understand the role of the complement system in cardiovascular disease and thrombotic conditions. / Platelet Mediated Complement Activation

Understanding the differential bonding mechanics underlying bleeding disorders is of crucial importance to human health. In this research insight is provided into how four of these bleeding disorders (each with somewhat similar clinical characteristics), work at the molecular bond level. The bleeding diseases studied here can result from defects in the platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ibα the von Willebrand factor (vWF) molecule, or the ADAMTS-13 enzyme. Types 2B and 2M von Willebrand Disease (VWD) result in excess bleeding, yet type 2B has increased binding affinity between platelet GPIbα and vWF, while type 2M has decreased binding affinity between these two molecules. Platelet type VWD (pt-VWD) causes mutations in the GPIbα molecule and has similar characteristics to type 2B VWD. Further, in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, bleeding results when there is a lack of active ADAMTS-13 enzyme. Each disease results in patient bleeding, but due to different mechanisms. This dissertation will explore the bonding mechanics between GPIbα and vWF and how they are altered in each disease state. To observe the GPIbα-vWF bonding mechanics, rolling velocities, transient tethering lifetimes, and tether frequency were determined using a parallel plate flow chamber. Data from these experiments suggest that wt-wt interactions are force dependent and have biphasic catch-slip bonding behavior. The data show that the shear stress at which the maximum mean stop time occurs differs between gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations. Using similar methods, we study the changes resulting from pt-VWD mutations in GPIbα, and find that the catch bond seen for wt-wt interactions is lost for these mutations. Further, the data suggest that interactions with gain-of-function GPIbα mutations may be transport rather than force dependent. Finally, how the GPIbα-vWF tether bond changes for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was also investigated to show that the bond lifetime in the absence of the enzyme is increased presenting a possible rationale for why bleeding occurs in this disease. Overall, the data show how the bonding mechanics of the GPIbα-vWF tether bond differ in four bleeding diseases. Further, these observations offer potential explanations for how these changes in the bonding mechanism may play a role in the observed patient bleeding.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1995. / Thesis date on spine.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1995. / Thesis date on spine.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / In the development of this research, 15 New Zealand rabbits were used, with the aim of storing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) during 30 days refrigerated at 4-6oC. There was a preparation of 30 samples of PRP which were sorted in three equal groups. Every three days a sample would be removed for evaluation, before and after storage, for the number of platelets, mean platelet volume (MPV), pH of the plasma, aggregation post addition of calcic thromboplastin and for the presence of bacterial and fungal contamination. In the variables of number of platelets, there was no linear relationship in function of time, when comparing the number of platelets before x after storage, a statistical difference was observed. The hemogram MPV variables, before and after storage also did not relate with time, however there was a statistical difference in the comparisons of MPV on blood count x MPV before storage and of MPV before storage x MPV post storage. On the evaluation of the pH there was no influence of time on the variables, but statistical differences were found in the samples after storage in between the periods of 30 and 6; 30 and 24; 30 and 27 days. Platelet aggregation occurred within twenty seconds in all samples independent of storage time. There was no growth of bacteria or yeast in any sample, however mold growth occurred in the samples 21 days of storage on group one and three. It can be concluded that platelet-rich plasma of rabbits can be stored under refrigeration of 4 to 6 °C for maintaining the number of platelets, without significant pH alteration and absence of bacterial or fungal contamination during 18 days. / Utilizou-se 15 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa, com o objetivo de armazenar plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) durante 30 dias sob refrigeração de 4-6ºC. Preparou-se 30 amostras de PRP que foram divididas em três grupos iguais. A cada três dias uma amostra foi retirada para avaliação antes e após o armazenamento quanto ao número de plaquetas, volume plaquetário médio (VPM), pH do plasma, agregação pós adição de tromboplastina cálcica e presença de contaminação bacteriana e fúngica. Nas variáveis número de plaquetas, não houve relação linear em função do tempo, na comparação do número de plaquetas pré x pós armazenamento, observou-se diferença estatística. As variáveis de VPM do hemograma, pré e pós armazenamento também não apresentaram relação com o tempo, porém obteve-se diferença estatística nas comparações VPM no hemograma x VPM pré armazenamento e VPM pré-armazenamento x VPM pós armazenamento. Na avaliação do pH não houve influência do tempo nas variáveis, mas houve diferença estatística nas amostras pós armazenamento entre os períodos 30 e 6; 30 e 24; 30 e 27 dias. A agregação plaquetária ocorreu dentro de vinte segundos em todas as amostras independente do tempo de estocagem. Não houve crescimento bacteriano e de leveduras em nenhuma amostra, porém ocorreu crescimento de bolores nas amostras 21 dias de armazenamento dos grupos um e três. Pode-se concluir que o plasma rico em plaquetas de coelhos pode ser armazenado sob refrigeração de 4 a 6ºC por manter o número de plaquetas, sem alteração significativa do pH e ausência de contaminação bacteriana e fúngica durante18 dias. / Mestre em Ciências Veterinárias

Orientador: Edson Antunes / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T13:42:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cardoso_MarciaHelenaMiranda_D.pdf: 20008968 bytes, checksum: 1a1bf9dc06053f021c3ee9e0591edd1e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: A inibição da adesão de plaquetas ao subendotélio é fundamental na prevenção de agregação excessiva e de formação de trombos, sendo o óxido nítrico (NO) o principal mediador envolvido neste fenômeno. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o mecanismo de ação do NO na inibição da adesão de plaquetas humanas, procurando identificar os mecanismos dependentes e independentes de GMP cíclico (GMPc). Os ensaios de adesão foram realizados em placas de 96 poços recobertos com fibrinogênio, usando-se plaquetas lavadas (1,2 x 108 plaquetas/mL) obtidas de indivíduos sadios. Dependendo do protocolo experimental, as plaquetas não ativadas e ativadas com trombina (50 mU/mL) foram incubadas com SNP (0,1-1,0 mM) ou SIN-1 (0,1-1,0 mM), na ausência ou na presença de ODQ (inibidor da guanilato ciclase solúvel), SOD (seqüestrador do ânion superóxido) ou gaiato (antioxidante seqüestrador de peroxinitrito). A adesão foi avaliada aos 15 e 60 min de incubação, medindo-se a atividade da fostase ácida. Nossos resultados mostraram que as plaquetas se aderem significativamente ao fibrinogênio in vitro, sendo a resposta em 60 min maior do que em 15 min. O tratamento das plaquetas com SNP (0,1 e 1,0 mM) elevou significativamente os níveis de GMPc e reduziu a adesão plaquetána aos 15 e 60 min. A pré-incubação das plaquetas com ODQ impediu a elevação dos níveis de GMPc induzida pelo SNP (ambas as concentrações e tempos), e reverteu a inibição da adesão plaquetária observada com 0,1 mM de SNP Entretanto, o ODQ não modificou a inibição da adesão quando se usou 1,0 mM de SNP. Por outro lado, a pré-incubação das plaquetas com SOD ou gaiato reverteu significamente o efeito inibitório de 1 mM de SNP. Resultados semelhantes foram obtidos com o SIN-1 em todas as condições experimentais. No sentido de descartar que a inibição da adesão plaquetária proporcionada pelos doadores de NO não é decorrente de efeito citotóxico, realizamos ensaios de citotoxicidade (MTT). Nossos dados revelaram que o SNP não é tóxico à plaqueta em nenhuma das concentrações e condições usadas. Por outro lado, o SIN-1 mostrou-se tóxico na concentração de 1 mM, sendo este efeito citotóxico revertido pela pré-incubação das palquetas com SOD. Numa segunda etapa deste trabalho, passamos à investigação do componente independente de GMPc responsável pela inibição da adesão plaquetária em resposta ao SNP e SIN-1, dando ênfase à nitrotirosina. A incubação de plaquetas com SNP (0,1 mM) por 15 min não revelou nenhuma proteína nitrada, mas quando as plaquetas foram tratadas com concentração maior de SNP (1 mM) ou SIN-1, houve o aparecimento de uma nitração de proteína nos resíduos de tirosina com uma massa molecular aparente de 110 kDa, identificada como alfa-actinina-1. A nitração foi aumentada em plaquetas ativadas com trombina. Por outro lado, amostras de plaquetas tratadas com SNP ou SIN-1 (0,1 e 1 mM) por 60 min não mostraram nitração de proteína nos resíduos de tirosina. No conjunto, estes dados sugerem que o NO inibe a adesão de plaquetas não ativadas e ativadas, por mecanismos dependentes e independentes de GMPc sendo que a nitração da a-actinina 1 plaquetária, parece ser o principal mecanismo responsável pelo componente independente de GMPc. Paralelamente, observamos que em concentrações elevadas, o SIN-1 diminui a viabilidade e a atividade da fosfatase ácida das plaquetas devido à formação de ânion superóxido. / Abstract: The inhibition of platelet adhesion to the subendothelium by nitric oxide (NO) is essential in preventing excessive aggregation and thrombus formation The objective of this work was to investigate the mechanisms of the NO on inhibition of human platelet adhesion looking for identify of the cGMP-dependent and independent mechanisms Adhesion assay was carried out in the 96-well microtiter plates coated by fibrinogen, using washed platelet (1,2 x 108 plaquetas/mL) from healthy volunteers. Depending on the experimental protocols, non activated or thrombin (50 mU7ml_)-activated platelets were incubated with NO donors (SNP or SIN-1), guanylyl cyclase inhibitor (ODQ), O2" scavenger (SOD) and -(-) epigallocatechin gallate, and allowed to adhere to the wells for either 15 or 60 min at 37°C. Cell toxicity was estimated using the MTT assay by platelets after exposure to NO donors. Nitrated proteins were detected by immunobloting. Purification and identification of them were done by Western blotting analysis and mass spectrometry respectively. Significant platelet adhesion was achieved when non-activated and activated platelets were kept on plates for 15 min or 60. The adhesion was significantly increased when platelets were activated with of thrombin. SNP (0,001 - 1000 nM) inhibited significantly both non-activated and thrombm-stimulated platelet adhesion. The MTT reduction assay showed that the exposure of platelets to SNP (0 1 and 1 mM) caused any toxic effect. Pretreatment of platelets with ODQ nearly abolished SNP (0.1 mM)-mediated cGMP elevation and the inhibition of platelet adhesion, but failed to affect the inhibitory effect of SNP (1 mM) on cell adhesion. Pre-incubation of platelets with SOD, reversed the effect of SNP 1mM. Epigalocatechin gallate did not affect the effect of SNP at 0.1 mM: on the other hand, reduced this effect at 1mM SNP. SIN-1 (0,001 - 100 jiM) concentration-dependently inhibited both non-activated and thrombin-stimulated platelet adhesion. In the higher concentration (1 mM), the SIN-1 inhibited almost all platelet adhesion. Pretreatment of platelets with ODQ markedly reverted the increased the levels of cGMP as well as decreased the inhibition of platelet adhesion by SIN-1 at 0,1 mM. SOD did not change the SIN-1 (0,1 mM)- mediated platelet inhibition, but reverted the platelet inhibition in all another conditions. MTT assay showed that the SIN-1 at 1 mM caused toxic effect in the platelets, and this effect was restored by SOD ECG did not affect the effect of SIN-1, excepted in the small concentration, when the inhibitory effect of thrombin-activated platelets was decreased. Immunobloting indicated the presence of nitrated protein that was recognized as alpha-actinin 1. In conclusion, cGMP-dependent and -independent mechanisms contribute to inhibition of platelet adhesion by NO, and that the a-actinic nitration can be the most important c GMP-independent mechanism. Parallel of this, we observed that the high concentration of SIN-1 decreased the viability and acid phosphatase activity by formation of superoxide anion. / Doutorado / Doutor em Farmacologia

O tratamento tópico de feridas visa favorecer um processo de cicatrização eficaz, rápido e seguro. Como uma das opções, o Plasma Rico em Plaquetas – PRP - um concentrado de plaquetas obtido por meio de centrifugação sanguínea ou aférese, vem sendo também utilizado no tratamento de feridas por conter os fatores de crescimento plaquetários. Visto que se trata de uma terapia inovadora, este estudo objetivou buscar as evidências sobre o seu uso na terapia tópica de feridas crônicas de perna. Para tanto, realizou-se revisão sistemática de literatura, seguindo-se as etapas preconizadas pela Colaboração Cochrane. Os estudos foram levantados até 2006, por meio dos descritores platelet rich plasma, platelet derived growth factor, platelet gel, platelet releasate, platelet lysate, CT-102 activated supernatant, wound healing, chronic wound, foot ulcer, diabetic foot, e varicose ulcer, utilizando diferentes combinações, conforme a base de dados consultada (Cochrane, PubMed, Lilacs, Embase e Cinahal). Para a análise da validade interna dos estudos, empregaram-se: a Escala de Jadad, Escala de Avaliação do Grau de Recomendação e Evidência e Escala de Avaliação do Controle das Variáveis. De 56 estudos pré-selecionados, chegou-se à amostra de 18 ensaios clínicos, indexados, principalmente, no PubMed/ Medline (17 / 94,5%), originários dos EUA (12 / 66,6%) e publicados em língua inglesa. Desses, sete (39%) eram ensaios clínicos randomizados, que obtiveram forte recomendação (A) e nível de evidência alto. A partir das metanálises desses ensaios randomizados, em diferentes combinações, os resultados mostraram que o PRP favorece o processo de cicatrização (IC95% 1,84 - 7,41), principalmente em úlceras diabéticas (IC95% 2,94 - 20,31), e quando utilizado como CT-102 (IC95% 2,70-41,40). Concluindo, esta revisão sistemática e metanálise mostram que há evidências científicas sobre os resultados favoráveis do uso do PRP em feridas crônicas de perna, principalmente as de etiologia diabética / The wound topical treatment stimulates an effective, fast and safe wound healing. The platelet rich plasma (PRP) – a concentrated of platelets obtained from centrifugation or single apheresis, has been used as the treatment of wounds because it contains platelet derived growth factor. Being a new therapy, the aim of this study is to show some evidence about the effectiveness of PRP on the healing of chronic wound leg. To this test, a systematic review was conducted, as the recommendation of the Cochrane Library. The studies were screened until 2006 using some key words: platelet rich plasma, platelet derived growth factor, platelet gel, platelet releasate, platelet lysate, CT-102 activated supernatant, wound healing, chronic wound, foot ulcer, diabetic foot, and varicose ulcer; with different combinations, according to data base (Cochrane, PubMed, Lilacs, Embase e Cinahal). From 56 studies, 18 were clinical trials, specially found in PubMed (17 / 94,5%), originated in USA (12 / 66,6%) and published in English. Seven (39%) were clinical trials randomized , classified as a strong recommendation (A) with high evidence level. The meta-analysis of these randomized trials, shows the PRP promotion in wound healing (CI 95% 1,84-7,41), mainly in diabetic ulcer (CI 95% 2,70-41,40). To sum up, this study provides a scientific evidence on repair of chronic wound leg, mainly diabetic ulcer, using PRP

La numération plaquettaire est une analyse délicate et le résultat est souvent erroné notamment du fait d’une tendance à l’agrégation in vitro dans certaines espèces animales. Il a ainsi pu être démontré chez le Chat que ce phénomène peut être inhibé par l’association d’un anticoagulant avec des inhibiteurs plaquettaires : le CTAD (Citrate, Théophylline, Adénosine et Dipyridamole). Cette association permet ainsi l’obtention de numérations plaquettaires fiables sans affecter les autres populations sanguines, mais également d’effectuer des analyses d’hémostase et de biochimie. De nouveaux intervalles de référence ont dû être établis pour certaines variables hématologiques avec les analyseurs utilisés en laboratoire et dans les cliniques vétérinaires. Par ailleurs, si les effets antiagrégants du CTAD sont moins nets chez le Chien, il peut également servir d’anticoagulant « universel », permettant de réduire le nombre de prélèvements et d’améliorer ainsi le bien-être des animaux. / The platelet count is a delicate measurement, which may often be erroneous because of the tendency of platelets from some animal species to aggregate in vitro. This study demonstrated that this effect can be inhibited in cats using CTAD (Citrate, Theophylline, Adenosine and Dipyridamole) composed of an anticoagulant and platelet inhibitors. This association provides reliable platelet counts without affecting other blood populations and also allows hemostasis and biochemical analyses. New hematological reference intervals have been established for some variables with analyzers used in clinical pathology laboratories and veterinary clinics. Furthermore, if the antiplatelet clumping effects of CTAD are less marked in canine species, the CTAD can also serve as "universal" anticoagulant, reducing the number of blood samples and thus improving animal welfare.