In-vivo model to assess platelet age in humans: during increased platelet turnover large and small platelets are produced simultaneously

Objective Human platelets vary in size, function, and age. Large platelets are often considered to be young platelets. Two situations have to be distinguished, normal steady state platelet production and increased platelet turnover. Here we focused on large and small platelets in humans during increased platelet turnover. To avoid artefacts by interfering factors (medication, comorbidities), we established a platelet apheresis model to deplete platelets from healthy volunteers with subsequent increased platelet production.