Changes of platelets activity in patient swith COPD and concomitant arterial hypertension under the influence of L-arginine

Objective: to investigate the influence of L - arginine on platelets activity in patients with COPD and concomitant arterial hypertension. 30 patients with COPD of A - D category combined with hypertension (Н) I - II stage in the state of disease control were examined. In I gr. (n=20) patients received L – arginine (Tivortin) in a daily dose of 4g as additional medication to the basic therapy for 30 days. Patients of II gr. (n=10) received only basic therapy. The adhesion of platelets (pl), induced with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen and thrombin (optical turbidometric aggregatometry method) were determined. Additionaly, in I gr. (n=6) there were determined the level of activated, aggregated, degranulated pl, packing density of pl granules (transmission electron microscopy). Under the influence of therapy in patients of I gr. degree of pl adhesion, degree of induced pl aggregation (collagen, thrombin), rate of aggregation (ADP, thrombin), activity of pl von Willebrandt factor activity (collagen, thrombin) decreased, level of activated, aggregated and degranulated pl decreased; packing density of α - granules increased (p<0.05). In II gr.of patients significant changes in the indices of adhesion and induced aggregation of pl were not detected. In comorbid patients with COPD and arterial hypertension L-arginine (Tivortin) reduces platelet activity and may reduce thrombogenic potential and risk of thrombotic events.