title: The phytoestrogen 8-prenylnaringenin inhibits agonist-dependent activation of human platelets.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Phytoestrogens are plant-derived polyphenolic compounds that exert beneficial effects on human health, mostly related to their estrogen mimetic activity. In particular a strong correlation between phytoestrogens intake and a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases has been reported. The flavanone 8-prenylnaringenin, extracted from hop flowers, has been identified as a novel phytoestrogen, unique with respect to estrogen receptors specificity and potency. However, to date no investigations on the 8-prenylnaringenin role in modulating platelet function have been undertaken.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the effect of 8-prenylnaringenin on platelet aggregation, intracellular calcium mobilization and protein phosphorylation triggered by thrombin and collagen, and platelet adhesion and dense granule secretion triggered by collagen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  8-Prenylnaringenin inhibited platelet aggregation induced by different agonists and platelet adhesion to collagen matrix. 8-Prenylnaringenin directly increased intracellular cAMP and cGMP levels and thus promoted VASP phosphorylation. However, these molecular events were not responsible for the inhibitory action of 8-prenylnaringenin on platelets. Moreover, 8-prenylnaringenin inhibited the phosphorylation of Pyk2, Akt, and ERK1/2. Finally, 8-prenylnaringenin suppressed the mobilization of calcium and the secretion of dense granules. All these effects were independent of estrogen receptors recruitment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  8-Prenylnaringenin exerted anti-aggregatory and anti-adhesive effects on human platelets, independently of estrogen receptors, acting as an inhibitor of multiple proteins essential for the morphological and biochemical transformations that occur during platelet activation and aggregation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  8-Prenylnaringenin may represent a useful tool in the therapy and prevention of vascular diseases associated with platelet aggregation, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombosis.
authors: Department of Translational Medicine, Novara, University of Piemonte Orientale A. Avogadro, Italy.
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Di Vito
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Bertoni
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Nalin
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Sampietro
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Zanfa
authors: Fabiola
authors: F
authors: Sinigaglia
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D017869:Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: C119737:8-prenylnaringenin; D044950:Flavanones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D017869:Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D002118:Calcium