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Big platelets in hyperlipidemic patients
1Department of Internal Medicine A, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah-Tiqva, Israel.
Insights
This study investigated hypolipidemic drugs' effects on big platelets in hyperlipidemia patients. Results showed no significant change in big platelet percentage despite lipid level improvements, questioning the direct relationship.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Large platelets and hyperlipidemia are linked to increased coronary artery disease risk.
- The potential impact of lipid-lowering medications on platelet size remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of hypolipidemic drugs on the percentage of big platelets in patients with hyperlipidemia.
- To explore the relationship between lipid reduction and big platelet levels.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic assessment of big platelet percentage in 66 hyperlipidemia patients.
- A crossover study using fish oil or placebo for hypertriglyceridemia patients.
- Lovastatin treatment for hypercholesterolemia patients, including those with familial hypercholesterolemia.
Main Results:
- Pre-treatment big platelet levels were elevated and similar across all groups.
- No significant change in big platelet percentage was observed after treatment with fish oil or lovastatin.
- Lipoprotein profiles improved, but big platelet levels remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- The direct relationship between lipid reduction and big platelet levels is questionable.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between lipids and platelet characteristics.
Abstract:
Both "big" platelets and hyperlipidemia are associated with increased coronary risk. This study was undertaken to search for a possible effect of various hypolipidemic drugs on big platelets. The percentage of big platelets, assessed microscopically, was measured in 66 patients who had hyperlipidemia of various types. Twenty-seven patients with hypertriglyceridemia were randomly selected to receive either fish oil or placebo in a crossover study. Another group of 39 patients with hypercholesterolemia, among them 13 with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), received lovastatin. The pretreatment level of big platelets was elevated, and similar in all groups: 23.3 +/- 12% versus 22 +/- 9%, in the fish oil versus placebo group, 19.1 +/- 6.3% versus 24 +/- 11% in the FH versus non-FH primary hypercholesterolemia group (reference value, 6.8 +/- 3.5%). After treatment, despite the improvement in lipoprotein profile, the percentage of big platelets did not change. The relationship between lipid reduction and big platelets is thus questionable, and necessitates further study.