Relationship of Platelet Specific Proteins and Other Factors to Atherosclerosis in Various Stages of Hypertension

Abstract

There is considerable evidence from previous studies that platelets play an important role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis in hypertension, more so in relation to the stage of hypertension. Seventy one hypertensive patients (WHO stage I: 39, stage II: 23, stage III: 9) aged 19–84 (mean age: 56, normal controls in this study 59 and 62 respectively for each stage) and 37 aged 22-72 with a mean age of 52) were involved Hematocrit, beta-thromboglobulin (β-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), β-TG/PF4 ratio, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-C, and triglycerides were higher in the hypertensive group while platelet count, circulating platelet aggregates, and high density lipoprotein-C were higher in the normotensive group. Among the hypertensives, stage I11 patients showed the highest β-TG, PF4, β-TG/PF4 ratio, triglycerides, and stage I with the least elevation. There were no significant differences noted in the ADP or epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation in both the normal and hypertensive patients. Other parameters such as heart rate, serum sodium, potassium, renal and liver function tests, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, fibrinogen thromboxane B and 6-Keto-PGF1jI showed no significant differences in both groups. This study clearly showed that β-TG/PF4 ratio and triglycerides are closely related to the stage of hypertension and are good indicators of in vivo platelet activation in hypertensives which may account for the acceleration of hypertensive vascular complications secondary to atherogenesis.

Key Words:

• Platelet specific proteins
• hypertension
• atherosclerosis