Effects of varying dietary proteins on plasma lipids and rabbit platelet function

The aim of this paper was to study the effect of dietary proteins on rabbit platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen and thrombin. In addition, blood coagulation tests (Stypven, Stypven cephalin and cephalin kaolin plasma clotting times) were performed on these rabbits fed semi-synthetic diets containing animal protein (casein) or vegetable proteins (walnut or soybean). As part of this study, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, phospholipid and triglyceride plasma levels were determined and platelet fatty acid composition was analysed. The results show that the addition of walnut meal in the diet decreases platelet aggregability and total plasma cholesterol. The relative effects of casein, soybean and walnut protein on platelet aggregability best correlated with the ratio of lysine to arginine in the protein and the ratio of HDL to LDL. An increase in the ratio C20:5 n-3/C20:4 n-6 in platelet fatty acids was also seen in walnut and soybean protein-fed animals, but the changes were greatest in soybean protein-fed animals while inhibition of platelet aggregation was greatest in walnut protein-fed animals.