Targeting platelets for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Platelets play an important role in the development of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attack and stroke. As a result, pharmacologic interventions that influence platelet functions, such as adhesion, aggregation and the release of different factors, are considered useful for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Although classical anti-platelet agents have proven beneficial effects for the treatment of some specific cardiovascular diseases, there are limitations for their use as these drugs target platelet function directly. In contrast, newly developed anti-platelet agents have broad applications for the treatment of cardiovascular disease as they not only influence platelet function but are also considered to affect cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cell functions. Natural food products and nutraceutical agents also appear to modify cardiovascular abnormalities by affecting various platelet functions; however, the mechanisms of their actions remain to be investigated. Accordingly, this article is focused to discuss emerging pharmacologic, nutritional and nutraceutical interventions that may influence the prevention or progression of a broad range of cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords::

• cardiovascular diseases
• natural food products
• nutraceutical interventions
• pharmacologic interventions
• platelet aggregation and adhesion
• prevention
• therapy

Acknowledgements

The research in this article was supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). Todd A Duhamel is a post doctorate fellow supported by CIHR/Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada IMPACT Training Program.

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