| Abstract: | AIM: To characterize effects of interferon alpha (If-a) on functional activity of platelets in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) and viral hepatic cirrhosis (VHC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Induced platelet aggregation (PA), spontaneous PA, levels of cAMP, cGMP and glycogen in platelets, plasm beta-thromboglobulin (bTG) and activity of thrombocytic factor 4 (TF4) were measured in 95 patients before, 4.5 h after the first If-a introduction, after 12 and 24 weeks of If-a treatment. RESULTS: The patients demonstrated low induced PA, intracellular glycogen and high cAMP, b-TG and TF4. The initial administration of If-a led to normalization of most of functional platelet indices. A 24-h course of If-a therapy normalized platelet functions irrespective of stability of the virusological response. CONCLUSION: If-a preparations in single and multiple administrations normalize platelet function. |
