Vitamin E potentiates the antiplatelet activity of aspirin in collagen-stimulated platelets

Haematologica. 2002 Apr;87(4):420-6.

Abstract

Background and objectives: The combination of vitamin E with aspirin is becoming an attractive therapeutic approach to prevent thrombotic vascular accidents. In this study we investigated the capacity of vitamin E (50 and 100 M) to enhance the antiplatelet effect of aspirin.

Design and methods: The dose-response curves of platelet aggregation, dense body secretion, phospholipase C activation and calcium mobilization were measured in aspirin-treated platelets with and without added vitamin E (50 and 100 M). The role of vitamin E in reducing platelet adhesion to collagen was also studied.

Results: We demonstrated that, in platelets incubated with 100 M vitamin E, collagen-concentration ( g/mL) able to induce 50% of the maximal platelet aggregation and of the calcium mobilization was higher than in controls (11.6 versus 3.8 and 21.3 versus 9.8, respectively). Furthermore, 50 M vitamin E reduced platelet adhesion to collagen by about 80%.

Interpretation and conclusions: These data demonstrate that vitamin E can potentiate the antiplatelet activity of aspirin by inhibiting the early events of platelet activation pathways induced by collagen. This finding provides a rationale for combining aspirin and vitamin E to prevent thrombotic complications in atherosclerotic patients.

MeSH terms

  • Aspirin / pharmacology*
  • Blood Platelets / cytology
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Collagen / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Platelet Activation / drug effects
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Vitamin E
  • Collagen
  • Aspirin