Platelet monoamine oxidase and plasma amine oxidase: effect of anticoagulant and centrifugation technique on platelet yield and enzyme activity.

Platelet recovery and activity of platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) and plasma amine oxidase (PAO) were determined using different centrifugation procedures (125 g for 15 min vs. 600 g for 2.5 min) and anticoagulants. With either centrifugation procedure, the use of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) as anticoagulant resulted in higher platelet yields and MAO activity compared to acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD). However, PAO activity was lower with EDTA as anticoagulant than with ACD. There was a trend toward higher platelet yields and higher activity levels of MAO and PAO with the 125 g centrifugation method than with the 600 g technique regardless of the anticoagulant used. The implications for MAO studies in psychiatric research were discussed.