[Effect of benzo(a)pyrene on platelet aggregation and expression of P-selectin]

To investigate the effect of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) on platelet aggregation and expression of P-selectin.

Blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers and the platelets was washed. Platelet aggregation was monitored by aggregometer and the expression of P-seletin was detected by whole blood flow cytometry.

BaP (10 μmol/L, 1 μmol/L and 0.1 μmol/L) did not induce platelet aggregation; however, preincubation with BaP (10 μmol/L) significantly enhanced ADP-induced platelet aggregation (P < 0.01) and platelet aggregation was (80 ± 10)%, while BaP-preincubation failed to enhance platelet aggregation under collagen and thrombin stimulation. Flow cytometry showed that preincubation with BaP increased ADP-induced, but not thrombin-induced P-selectin expression (P < 0.01).

BaP can stimulate ADP-induced platelet aggregation and P-selectin expression, probably through the interaction with ADP-mediated signal pathway.