Aim: It is known that thrombocytosis is closely related to vascular complications and particularly thrombosis in essential thrombocytemia (ET) cases. The aim of this study is to investigate a possible correlation between adhesion molecules and vascular attacks as well as the relation of these molecules to the platelet count.
Methods: The study group consisted of 30 ET patients and 30 healthy controls subjects. Serum intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), serum vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and serum E-selectin levels were determined by ELISA method according to manufacturer's instructions.
Results: There were no significant differences between two groups with respect to levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin (P>0.05). The VCAM-1 levels and platelets were significantly higher in patients with ET compared to controls (P=0.000). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that sVCAM-1 levels were correlated with platelet counts (r=0.574, P<0.001) CONCLUSION: High VCAM-1 level in ET and its correlation with the platelet count suggest that these may be a factor in vascular complications and thrombocytosis.