A characterization of the platelets treated with sodium citrate has been made by isoelectric equilibrium analysis. Isoelectric focusing was carried out in a 50-ml column fitted with platinum electrodes. An aliquot of 1-5×108 platelets were focused at 0-1°C for 4 hours by post-pH equilibrium loading of the platelets in a sucrose linear gradients (0-50%) containing 1% ampholine at pH 3-10. After focusing, the column was drained. The pH and the OD at 420nm were determined in 1.0ml fraction.
Unmodified platelets of healthy subject show a surface isoelectric point (pI) of 4.22. Those of hepatic cirrhosis show pI between 3.80 and 4.50. Platelets from thrombasthenia show a pI of 4.20. When amino groups are blocked by formaldehyde, the platelet surface of healthy subject has a pI of 3.91. Platelets treated with neuraminidase are isoelectric at pH 4.54.