Influence of high polyphenol beverage on stress-induced platelet activation

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition, health & aging Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 586 - 593
• Main Authors: Nickel, Thomas, Lackermair, K., Scherr, J., Calatzis, A., Vogeser, M., Hanssen, H., Waidhauser, G., Schönermark, U., Methe, H., Horster, S., Wilbert-Lampen, U., Halle, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Springer Paris 01.06.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aging; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - pathology; Beer; Blood platelets; Cardiovascular system; Exercise; Female; Flavonoids; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Hospitals; Humans; Inflammatory diseases; Internal medicine; Male; Marathons; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurosciences; Nutrition; Nutrition research; Peptides; Platelet Activation - physiology; Platelet Aggregation; Polyphenols; Polyphenols - pharmacology; Primary Care Medicine; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life Research; Sports medicine; Thrombosis; Germany; stress; polyphenols; marathon; Platelets
• ISSN: 1279-7707; 1760-4788
• DOI: 10.1007/s12603-016-0697-y

Objectives Platelets are playing a crucial role in acute cardiovascular events. We investigated if physical stress activates platelets and whether this activation can be inhibited by a polyphenol-enriched diet. Methods Blood samples were taken from a total of 103 athletes three weeks before, one day before, immediately as well as 24 hours and 72 hours after a marathon run. Participants were randomized, double-blinded and divided into two groups. One group received a polyphenol-rich beverage the other the same beverage without polyphenols. Besides analysis of platelet counts and impedance-aggregometric-measurement of platelet activity, soluble P-selectin and Endothelin-A measurements were performed. Results In the control group, runners showed a 2.2-fold increased platelet aggregation directly after completing a marathon and within the following three days when compared with baseline values (p<0.01). In accordance, significant increases in sP-selectin (57.52ng/ml vs. 94.86ng/ml;p<0.01) were detectable. In contrast, for the group consuming a beverage with increased polyphenol content (upper quartile of study beverage intake) we did not find any increase of platelet aggregation. Discussion Physical stress causes a significant increase in platelet activity. Our results demonstrate that a diet enriched in polyphenols is capable of preventing platelet activation. These findings might indicate a diminished cardiovascular stress-reaction following pre-exposition to polyphenol-enriched diet.