[Effect of 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone on phospholipid components of platelet membrane in aged rats]

3,4-Dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) is one of the constituents of Ilex pubescence Hook. et Arn. var. glaber Chang. The effects of DHAP on the composition of blood platelet membrane in aged rats was examined. No change of total lipid and cholesterol contents was observed in aged rats. While a slight but significant decrease of phospholipid in platelet membrane was found, which lead to diminution of the ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol. The contents of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine decreased markedly by as less as 23.0% and 19%, respectively, compared with the young group. Whereas the degree of reduction of phospholipid, the ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were significantly lightened after irrigation with DHAP 100 mg.kg-1 for 10 weeks. In the treatment group, the values of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine of platelet membrane were reduced by 8.0% and 10.5%, respectively, vs the group of aged rats. It is concluded that reduced phospholipid hydrolysis is involved in mediating DHAP inhibition of platelet function.