Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) not only provides pathological effects, but also takes part in cell signaling pathways [1] [2]. For example, H₂O₂ molecules activate cyclooxygenase and protein kinase C, uprising cytoplasmic concentration of Са²⁺-ions, which plays a dramatic role in human platelet activation [3] [4]. High doses of H₂O₂ (300 - 2000 µМ) enhance platelet aggregation [5] [6] [7] and could even stimulate platelet activity without standard agonists [3] [6]. On the other hand, in certain studies, it was found that low doses of H₂O₂ (40 - 80 µМ) reduced platelet aggregation in vitro [6] [8]. One could suppose, low doses of H₂O₂ stimulate stabilization of platelet granules, blocking their rapid exocytosis under activation. All studies of H₂O₂-treated platelets were performed without morphofunctional analysis. Registration of morphofunctional platelets’ properties allows valuing structure integrity of cells and their granules, and allows checking intensity of platelet interaction during cell and substrate contact.

The aim of this work was to study the influence of low concentrations on human platelets’ morphofunctional properties.

We used venous donor blood, kept in EDTA. Platelets were extracted by double centrifugation at 300 g and 700 g. In platelet-rich plasma (PRP) total cell concentration estimated 1.0 - 1.6 × 10⁹/ml. Initial clinical 3%-solution of hydrogen peroxide was diluted by phosphate buffer PBS (0.15 М, рН = 7.2) to 100 µМ H₂O₂, that was measured with PRP in different proportions. In experimental samples final concentration H₂O₂ was 20 µМ, 30 µМ, 45 µМ, 60 µМ and 75 µМ, control samples did not contain H₂O₂. Experimental and control PRP samples were incubated at 20˚C - 22˚C during 24 hours. To obtain the platelet adhesion, 0.1 - 0.2 ml of control and experimental PRP inflicted on the glass slide, placed in Petri dish and saturated at 37˚C for 1 - 2 hours to stimulate platelet massive adhesion. Then we washed slides with PBS buffer to remove the liquid fraction with non-active cells and studied platelets, spreading on glass. We also researched the possibility of platelet activation after H₂O₂-treatment. Platelets were exposed on glass with 45 - 60 µМ H₂O₂ and activated with 1 - 5 mM adrenalin. After adrenalin activation we valued granule volume and intensity of lamella growth.

Biological integrity of platelets was studied with original morphofunctional method, based on vital fluorochrome dye (trypaflavin and acridine orange) staining [9]. This method allows valuing the number of granules and their attachment inside platelets before and during adhesion and value retaining of granules at different time. Microscopic study was managed with confocal microscope Nikon Eclipse 80i (Nikon, Japan) under objectives ×60 and ×100. In control and experimental samples we valued content of platelet with granules (%), percentage of cells with lamella during platelet adhesion, % (shows H₂O₂-dependent reduction of platelet spreading); granules retain index, % (GRI). Granules retaining analysis based on value of morphofunctional activity rate (MFAR) in control and experimental samples. We registered fluorescence intensity in normal platelets with granules, FIpl.gr. (in points), fluorescence intensity of non-granule cytoplasm in discoid platelets without membrane damage, FIcyt. (in points). In spreading platelets we valued mean MFAR_experiment to one cell. According to our previous studies, MFAR reduction in normal cell is mainly accompanied with granules exocytosis [8] [9]. Granules retain index, GRI (%) calculated by formula GRI = (MFAR_experiment − FIcyt): (FIpl.gr. − FIcyt) × 100%. At MFAR_experiment = FIpl.gr. GRI estimates 100% (all cells retained all their granules), at MFAR_experiment = FIcyt. GRI estimates 0% (all cells are totally degranulated). Received statistical data processed using the variation statistical methods using the software package “Microsoft Excel 2000”, calculating mean arithmetic values (M) and standard deviation (σ). Differences of values considered reliable in more than 95% significance level.

In non-treated PRP level of FIpl.gr. varied from 65 to 100 points, value of FIcyt—from 25 to 35 points, and mean values were estimated 78.6 ± 6.5 and 30.6 ± 3.2 points consequently. Mean content of platelets with granules was estimated 52.5% ± 4.3%. PRP exposition with 20 - 75 µМ H₂O₂ during 24 hours did not cause any visible changes in platelet structural integrity; in experimental samples FIpl.gr. and FIcyt were similar to control. Studying spreading platelets we found that 20 µМ H₂O₂ had no influence on lamella’s growth and platelet degranulation. After 1 hour adhesion on glass at 20 µМ H₂O₂ platelet effluxed all their granules, formed wide lamellas, were tightly attached, as it took place in control samples (Figure 1(a)). At the opposite, at 30 µМ and higher H₂O₂ concentrations, a large amount of spreading platelets reduced lamella forming ability and did not contact each other (Figures 1(b)-(e)). At the same time, part of granule bulk retained inside spread platelets (Table 1). The highest GRI rate was registered at samples, incubated with 60 µМ H₂O₂, estimating 59%. 30 - 60 µМ H₂O₂ provided dose-dependent decay of lamella’s growth and platelet degranulation. At 75 µМ H₂O₂ GRI was already lower than at 60 µМ H₂O₂, and was similar to samples with 45 µМ H₂O₂ (Table 1). Such effects depended on H₂O₂-incubation time, which ought to be 30 min or more. In samples, incubated during 5 - 10 min, spreading platelets did not maintain their granules and were able to lamella forming.

*p < 0.05 relative to control.

Differences between platelets, incubated for 30 min and 1 - 2 hours, were statistically insignificant (р > 0.05). In samples, incubated during 24 hours, mean GRI was in average 1.6 times lower, comparing to samples, incubated for 30 min and 1 - 2 hours (р < 0.05). Obviously 30 min incubation with low concentrations of H₂O₂ is most effective for platelet granules stabilization. On the other hand, prolongation of platelet adhesion gradually reduced granule content in spreading cells. After 2 hours exposition GRI at 30 µМ H₂O₂ was 22%, at 45 µМ—30%, at 60 µМ—51%, at 75 µМ—32%. In all experimental samples, avoiding 60 µМ H₂O₂, GRI in spread platelets after 2 hours was much lower than after 1 hour (р < 0.05). One could conclude that 60 µМ H₂O₂ is most effective for platelet granule stabilization. This effect was reversible: treatment with 1 - 5 mM adrenalin caused total degranulation of previously stabilized platelets at 5 - 10 min. Noticeably, this process was followed by forming of lamellipodias, but their square was markedly lower than in control samples (Figure 1(f)).

Hydrogen peroxide significantly affects the balance of oxidizing and reduction processes (redox potential) in living cells and intracellular compartments. Molecules of H₂O₂ shift redox potential to the area of positive values, stimulating oxidized forms, which are observed during cell aging, apoptosis and other pathophysiological processes [1] [10] [11]. In platelets H₂O₂ is involved in activation cascade, so hydrogen peroxide may be used to initiate blood clotting in medical practice [12] [13]. The redox potential shifting to negative area turns H₂O₂ into H₂O molecules and inhibits the active action of peroxide. However, it is worth emphasizing that high negative levels of redox potential intensively transit -S-S-links into -SH groups in platelet integrin proteins, stimulating platelet adhesion and aggregation [14]. One could suppose, activating of platelet adhesion receptors occurred in reduction medium, that could be delayed by low doses of H₂O₂ (30 - 75 µМ) and blocks platelet rapid spreading. As a result, platelet granules retain inside spreading platelets for a long time. Nevertheless, decay of lamella’s growth may prevent intensive platelet degranulation [4] [10], i.e. substrate-contacting platelets without lamella could be activated faster than platelets with wide lamella. Our study showed that 30 - 75 µМ H₂O₂ inhibits growth of platelet lamella, the maximum preservation of platelet granules was similar to observed in experiments, where platelets were incubated with 2.5 µМ nanosilver [15]. At the same time, adding of 2.5 - 5.0 µМ nanosilver to platelets, which have already begun to spread, retained more than 70% of granules bulk, maintaining lamella’s growth. Thus, suppression of the lamella forming does not mean complete inactivation of platelets. Moreover, the exposure of H₂O₂-stabilized platelets with activating doses of adrenaline causes rapid degranulation of platelets. Apparently, the described decay of platelet aggregation under low doses of H₂O₂ may be primarily due to decrease of platelets contact and inability to form close connections between many cells. Stabilization of platelets with low doses H₂O₂ is actualized for producing of biotransplants, enriched by platelet components, especially for wound covers in regenerative and emergency medicine.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Makarov, M.S. and Storozheva, M.V. (2020) Morphofunctional Properties of Human Platelets, Treated with Low Doses of Hydrogen Peroxide. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 8, 123-130. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbm.2020.89010