[Optimization of a method for determining platelet malondialdehyde production].

The platelet MDA production assay is widely used for studying platelet function and turnover. However, as original Stuart's method has low sensitivity, it is not accurate when MDA concentrations are very low. The effects of anticoagulants, incubation periods and clearing procedures were studied in an attempt to overcome this limitation and improve the sensitivity of this method. The results demonstrated that higher PCA and thrombin concentrations and a final addition of concentrated KOH increase the sensitivity of the method by almost eight fold. The higher transparency of the solutions, which is obtained through the sieving effect achieved by insoluble potassium perchlorate cold precipitation, is mainly responsible for the improvement.