The main purpose of this article is to review the importance of microparticles, the possibiltty of ustng them in routine clinical practice and the latest currently applicable methods and protocols for their isotation and analysis. Many cells as endothelial cells, white cells, platelets, red blood cells release microparticles. These elements are non-nuclear vesicles whose size is between 100 and 1000 nm, and carry inside a variety of proteins and genetic material that may influence the cell processes. They also have specific membrane receptors which could help to influence cell response to its environment. It is believed that these particles may participate in pathogenesis of oxidative stress, inflammation, coagulation and angiogenesis. They may be responsible for the survival of the cell, or may determine its apoptosis. There are studtes researchtng their involvement in cell to cell communication. So far, their precise rel ationship with the signaling cell systems is not known, but it is already clear that these are not the residual particles. These bodies actively participate in important physiological processes and disease pathogenesis. Some already known microparticles have been found to have association with certain diseases. Endothelial microparticles may indicate ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis. Thrombocytic microparticles connect well with coagulation disorders. Lymphocytic microparticles have an undertytng connection with breast cancer et cetera. It is an enticing idea to use these bodies in routine clinical practice as diagnostic biomarkers. But data is not consistent and requires future research to determine their use as biomarkers. There is also evermore loudly discussed idea to use these microparticles in treatment, modeling the body’s response to the pathology. It is still far in the future but it shows the potential of this research field.
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