title: Effect of traditional Greek Mediterranean meals on platelet aggregation in normal subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between diet and incidence of coronary heart disease. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of a traditional Greek Mediterranean diet on platelet aggregation induced by ADP, arachidonic acid (AA), and especially platelet-activating factor (PAF) on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as on healthy volunteers. The patients were randomized into two subgroups, A and B. The lipid extracts from traditional Greek Mediterranean-type meals were tested in in vivo for their ability to reduce PAF- or thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. The meals with the most potent anti-aggregating activity were chosen for the diet of both subgroup A and healthy subjects and consumed for a period of 28 days, whereas subgroup B kept to their regular diet that was followed before entering the study. Platelet-rich plasma was isolated before and after the diet, and the ability of platelets to aggregate under the aggregating factors was tested. One-month consumption of diet resulted in a significant reduction in PAF- and ADP-induced aggregation of platelets in both groups of healthy volunteers (PAF and ADP, P < .05) and subgroup A (PAF, P < .001; ADP, P < .05), whereas the AA-induced aggregation was not affected. No effect was observed in subgroup B, which followed the standard diet. Thus the consumption of a traditional Greek Mediterranean diet even for a short period can reduce platelet activity in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus and in healthy subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Nutrition-Dietetics, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece. antonop@hua.gr
authors.forename: Smaragdi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antonopoulou
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fragopoulou
authors.forename: Haralabos C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Karantonis
authors.forename: Eudokia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mitsou
authors.forename: Marietta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sitara
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rementzis
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mourelatos
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ginis
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phenekos
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013917:Thrombin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D013917:Thrombin