Search

Purpose: Platelets play a key role in haemostasis and wound healing, contributing to formation of vascular plugs. They are also involved in formation of atherosclerosic plaques. Some traditional diets, like the Mediterranean diet, are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Components in these diets may have anti-platelet functions contributing to their health benefits. Methods: We studied the effects of alperujo extract, an olive oil production waste product containing the majority of polyphenols found in olive fruits, through measurement of effects on platelet aggregation and activation in isolated human platelets, and through identification of changes in the platelet proteome. Results: Alperujo extract (40 mg/L) significantly decreased in vitro ADP- (p = 0.002) and TRAP- (p = 0.02) induced platelet activation as measured by the flow cytometry using the antibody for p-selectin (CD62p), but it did not affect the conformation of the fibrinogen receptor as measured by flow cytometry using the antibodies for anti-fibrinogen, CD42a and CD42b. Alperujo extract (100 mg/L) inhibited both collagen- and TRAP-induced platelet aggregation by 5% (p < 0.05), and a combination of hydroxytyrosol and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol were, at least partly, responsible for this effect. Proteomic analysis identified nine proteins that were differentially regulated by the alperujo extract upon ADP-induced platelet aggregation. These proteins represent important mechanisms that may underlie the anti-platelet effects of this extract: regulation of platelet structure and aggregation, coagulation and apoptosis, and signalling by integrin αIIb/β3. Conclusions: Alperujo extract may protect against platelet activation, platelet adhesion and possibly have anti-inflammatory properties. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.

Dietary fatty acids play an important role in the aetiology of coronary heart disease. The effects of dietary fatty acids on lipoprotein metabolism are well described, but additional or alternative mechanisms relating to potential influence on coronary heart disease are not known. This review describes how proteomics techniques have been used to identify proteins that are differentially regulated by dietary fatty acids. Such proteins may reveal pathways by which dietary fatty acids influence disease risk.Los ácidos grasos de la dieta cumplen un importante papel en la etiología de las enfermedades coronarias. A pesar de estar bien descrito el efecto de dichos ácidos grasos sobre el metabolismo lipoproteíco, no se conocen mecanismos alternativos que relacionen su influencia sobre posibles enfermedades coronarias. En esta revisión se describe el uso de técnicas proteómicas para la identificación de proteínas diferencialmente reguladas por dichos ácidos grasos. Tales proteínas pueden revelar rutas metabólicas implicadas en el riesgo de enfermedades y reguladas por los ácidos grasos de la dieta.