The effects of flavanol-rich cocoa and aspirin on ex vivo platelet function.
BACKGROUND
Flavanols modulate platelet function in vitro, but less is known of their in vivo effects and how they compare to pharmacological platelet inhibitors. We investigated the effect of a flavanol-rich cocoa beverage (897 mg/ml) in combination with and in comparison to aspirin on platelet function and activation in healthy subjects.


RESULTS
On separate test days in a crossover design, 16 healthy adults consumed aspirin (81 mg), cocoa (as a beverage), or aspirin plus cocoa. Platelet activation was measured by surface expression of P-selectin and PAC-1 binding to the activated conformation of the GPIIb/IIIa receptor (GPIIb/IIIa-act). Platelet function was measured on an analyzer (the PFA-100) that measures shear stress-induced platelet plug formation in response to collagen-epinephrine or collagen-ADP. Plasma epicatechin concentrations peaked approximately 2 h after subjects were given either the cocoa or aspirin plus cocoa. After 6 h, cocoa inhibited epinephrine-induced platelet function. Epinephrine-induced platelet function was inhibited 2 and 6 h after aspirin, and after aspirin plus cocoa. Epinephrine-stimulated P-selectin expression was inhibited by aspirin at 6 h, and after 2 and 6 h by aspirin plus cocoa. ADP-stimulated P-selectin expression was not affected by the treatments. Cocoa and aspirin, given separately, reduced epinephrine-stimulated GPIIb/IIIa-act expression at 2 and 6 h, respectively, and at 2 and 6 h when given together, suggesting an additive effective. ASA plus cocoa inhibited ADP-stimulated GPIIb/IIIa-act expression at 6 h.


CONCLUSIONS
Flavanol-rich cocoa inhibited epinephrine-stimulated platelet activation and function. These effects were qualitatively similar to aspirin, but less profound. These results emphasize the need to further examine the effects of food flavonoids for platelet modulating effects.
Pearson
Debra A
DA
Department of Human Biology, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, ES 301, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311, USA. pearsond@uwgb.edu
Paglieroni
Teresa G
TG
Rein
Dietrich
D
Wun
Ted
T
Schramm
Derek D
DD
Wang
Janice F
JF
Holt
Roberta R
RR
Gosselin
Robert
R
Schmitz
Harold H
HH
Keen
Carl L
CL
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D002099:Cacao; D002392:Catechin / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005419:Flavonoids; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D002392:Catechin; D001241:Aspirin