Platelets as Potential Non-Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factor-Analysis Performed in Healthy Donors.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular research
• Hematology
• Metabolic syndrome

Background:

• Traditional cardiometabolic risk factors include abnormal lipid profiles, elevated glucose, and high body weight.
• The role of platelets in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development is gaining recognition.
• Identifying novel risk factors is crucial for proactive cardiovascular health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify platelet-related parameters associated with increased cardiovascular risk in healthy individuals.
• To explore the relationship between platelet indices, inflammatory markers, reactivity, and ROS generation with cardiometabolic factors.
• To evaluate the potential of platelet parameters as non-traditional CVD risk indicators.

Main Methods:

• Assessment of platelet indices, inflammatory markers, reactivity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
• Correlation analysis with traditional cardiometabolic risk factors (lipids, glucose, body mass index).
• Evaluation of specific ratios like mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-HDL-cholesterol.

Main Results:

• Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol associated with platelet aggregation and ROS generation.
• Triglycerides, glucose, and BMI linked to multi-inflammatory indices (MII-1, MII-3).
• Platelet-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio identified as a potential prognostic cardiometabolic indicator.

Conclusions:

• Platelet parameters, particularly molecular ones, show associations with cardiometabolic risk factors.
• Platelets represent a non-traditional cardiovascular risk factor and are key in identifying high-risk individuals.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the role of platelets in CVD development and risk stratification.