Title:Polyphenols: Anti-Platelet Nutraceutical?
Volume: 24
Issue: 2
Author(s): Valeria Ludovici, Jens Barthelmes, Matthias P. Nagele, Andreas J. Flammer and Isabella Sudano*
Affiliation:
- Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich,Switzerland
Keywords:
Polyphenols, flavanols, cocoa, platelet, aggregation, Coronary artery disease (CAD).
Abstract: Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a disease progressing over many years. Genetic factors,
as well as the exposure to risk factors, are continuously leading to endothelial dysfunction, vascular alterations
and, eventually, organ damage, major cardiovascular events and deaths. Oxidative stress, platelet hyperactivity
and low-grade inflammation are important modulators in this context, contributing to plaque formation.
Since platelet activation plays a critical role in the development and progression of atherothrombotic events, the
inhibition of platelet hyperactivity may contribute to decreased atherothrombotic risk. The consumption of bioactive
foods, and plant-derived polyphenols in particular, might impart anti-thrombotic and cardiovascular protective
effects.
Methods: Aim of this work is to focus on the potential of dietary derived polyphenols to reduce platelet hyperactivity
or hypercoagulability in addition to discussing their possible complementary anti-platelet therapeutic potential.
All the relevant publications on this topic were systematically reviewed.
Results: Various studies demonstrated that polyphenol supplementation affects platelet aggregation and function
in vitro and in vivo, mainly neutralizing free radicals, inhibiting platelet activation and related signal transduction
pathways, blocking thromboxane A2 receptors and enhancing nitric oxide production. Experimental data concerning
the effect of dietary polyphenols on platelet aggregation in vivo are poor, and results are often conflicting.
Only flavanols clearly mirrored in vivo showed the efficacy in vitro in modulating platelet function.
Conclusion: Dietary polyphenols, and above all flavanols contained in cocoa and berries, reduce platelet activation
and aggregation via multiple pathways. However, more controlled interventional studies are required to establish
which doses are required as well as what circulating concentrations are sufficient to induce functional antiplatelet
effects.
