Investigation of Platelet Apoptosis in Patients after Surgical Myocardial Revascularization
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Published on: September 3, 2020
Alisa A Sokolovskaya1, Mikhail A Popov2, Ekaterina A Sergeeva1
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathophysiology, Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Baltiyskaya 8, 125315 Moscow, Russia.
Insights
Platelet apoptosis markers decreased significantly after myocardial revascularization surgery in coronary heart disease patients. This suggests improved platelet function post-surgery, offering insights into cardiovascular disease management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Platelets are key players in vascular events associated with coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Understanding platelet behavior is crucial for managing cardiovascular complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and analyze platelet apoptosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing myocardial revascularization.
- To assess changes in platelet function and apoptosis markers before and after surgery.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to measure phosphatidylserine (PS) expression and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm).
- Two groups of 30 patients (45-60 years) were studied: pre-surgery and post-surgery.
- A control group of 10 healthy volunteers (45-60 years) was included for comparison.
Main Results:
- Post-surgery, phosphatidylserine (PS) expression on platelets significantly decreased.
- Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) depolarization, indicating apoptosis, was confirmed pre- and post-surgery, with notable improvement after surgery.
- Platelet functional parameters differed significantly between pre-surgery CAD patients, post-surgery patients, and healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- Myocardial revascularization surgery appears to positively impact platelet apoptosis and function in CAD patients.
- Further research into platelet biomarkers could enhance understanding of CHD pathophysiology and improve post-surgical outcome prediction.
Abstract:
Platelets are one of the main participants in vascular accidents in cases of coronary heart disease (CHD). In this study, we sought to detect platelet apoptosis in patients with coronary artery disease who underwent scheduled myocardial revascularization surgery. To identify apoptotic events, we analyzed phosphatidylserine (PS) expression on the surface of platelets and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by flow cytometry in two groups of 30 patients aged 45-60 years: Group 1-patients before myocardial revascularization surgery and group 2-patients after myocardial revascularization surgery. The control group consisted of 10 healthy volunteers aged 45-60 years. According to our data, the percentage levels of PS expression in patients greatly decreased after surgery. We confirmed platelet apoptosis by recording depolarization of ΔΨm in pre- and postoperative patients. ΔΨm readings were considerably improved after surgery. Our data indicated that the functional parameters of platelets in patients with coronary heart disease differed from the characteristics of platelets in patients who underwent myocardial revascularization, and from those of patients in a control group. Future studies of platelet phenotypic characteristics and platelet apoptosis biomarkers should greatly advance our understanding of the pathophysiology of coronary heart disease, and further promote the development of methods for predicting adverse outcomes after surgery.
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