Platelets, gender and acute cerebral infarction.

Petter Järemo,Marie Eriksson-Franzen,Micha Milovanovic

doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0630-x

Petter Järemo, Marie Eriksson-Franzen + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-015-0630-x

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Abstract

ObjectivePlatelets may well be significant in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction. Platelets vary substantially according to gender. The scope of our current work is to establish if female and male stroke sufferers differ regarding platelet reactivity.Patients and methods73 Consecutive individuals stricken by acute ischemic cerebral infarction (31 females, 42 males) participated. All stroke subtypes were included. Platelet counts was determined electronically. Platelet reactivity i.e. the presence of surface-bound fibrinogen following provocation was analyzed with a flow cytometer. ADP (1.7 μmol/L) and a thrombin receptor agonist (TRAP-6) (57 μmol/L) were the agonists used.ResultsFemale stroke sufferers had higher platelet counts (p = 0.013) but their platelets were less reactive. The p values were (p = 0.038) and (p = 0.016) for ADP and TRAP-6, respectively.ConclusionThe current study demonstrates that women suffering acute cerebral infarction have less reactive platelets. It is concluded that gender affects platelets. Our study indicates that it may be beneficial to individualize platelet inhibition of stroke sufferers according to gender.

Highlights

Drugs that suppress platelets e.g. aspirin, are beneficial for preventing stroke recurrence [1]
The current study demonstrates that women suffering acute cerebral infarction have less reactive plate‐ lets
It is concluded that gender affects platelets

Summary

Introduction

Drugs that suppress platelets e.g. aspirin, are beneficial for preventing stroke recurrence [1]. Some workers have associated acute cerebral infarctions with increased platelet reactivity [2]. Recent work have found either lower platelet reactivity [3] or no reactivity alterations [4]. Research into platelet activity in the event of acute stroke has produced disparate findings. Several researchers found increased platelet activity [5, 6] whereas recent work has revealed reduced activation [3, 4]. The diversities encouraged us to undertake the current work which evaluates stroke victims with respect to gender differences in platelet behavior

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion