Clinical significance of detecting soluble glycocalicin and thrombopoietin in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and aplstic anemia

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of detecting soluble platelet glycocalicin (sGC) and thrombopoietin (TPO) in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and aplastic anemia (AA). Methods: Plasma sGC and serum TPO in 83 patients with ITP, 47 patients with AA and 50 normal individuals were detected by iminunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using Q test and P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Plasma sGC in ITP group was significantly higher than that of normal group: (1024.35 ± 232.47) μg/L vs (712.50 ± 177.11) μg/L, and it was considered statistically significant (Q=4.11, P<0.05). But plasma sGC in AA group was significantly lower than that of normal group: (543.56 ± 141.28) μg/L vs (712.50 ± 177.11) μg/L, which was statistically significant (Q=3.45, P <0.05). TPO level in ITP group was in the same range as that in normal controls: (90.32 ± 39.43) ng/L vs (70.29 ± 25.16) ng/L, which was statistically insignificant (Q=2.68, P > 0.05). But serum TPO level in AA group was significantly higher than that in ITP and normal groups: (857.43 ± 228.43) ng/L vs (90.32 ± 39.43) ng/L and (70.29 ± 25.16) ng/L, and they were considered statistically significant (Q=24.45 and 18.25, both P < 0.01). Conclusion: Detecting plasma sGC and serum TPO might be helpful for differentiating ITP and AA and for understanding the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia. (authors)