RESUMO
Abnormal bleeding is a major complication of chronic renal failure. Among the multiple causes of this defect is impaired platelet function as reduced platelet adhesiveness defective aggregation by thrombin and adenosine diphosphate, and inhibition of release reaction. The aim of this study was to find a correlation between impaired platelet function and changes of the biochemical structure of the plaselets. The platelets of 15 patients with chronic renal failure and ten normal subjects [controls] were studied for total proteins, lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol and total carbohydrates, and protein components separated by electrophoresis. Also the enzyme activities of Na[+]-K[+]-Mg[+2] adenosine triphosphatase and monoamine oxidase were studied. The results showed increased concentration of total lipids, phospholipids and a qualitative change in protein components of uremic platelets. On the other hand, the activities of Na[+]-K[+]-Mg[+2] adenosine triphosphatase and monoamine oxidase were decreased. These results were discussed in the light of their effect on platelet physiological functions