The effect of heparin on plasma and platelet lipids during alimentary hyperlipaemia in man.

Abstract

Alimentary hyperlipaemia was induced in 19 healthy male subjects by ingestion of a standardized fatty meal composed mainly of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids. During alimentary hyperlipaemia, heparin was given intravenously. A marked increase of plasma FFA with a concomitant decrease of plasma triglycerides was observed after heparin. The fatty acids of the high plasma FFA fraction reflected the dietary fatty acids. The plasma lysolecithin/lecithin ratio showed a significant increase when heparin was given after the unsaturated fatty meal.The platelet number was unchanged after heparin. The platelet FFA fraction showed a moderate but significant increase after the saturated fatty meal, whereas no such increase was seen after the unsaturated fatty meal. However, contrary to the condition in the fasting state, no correlation could be established between the plasma and platelet FFA after heparin. It is suggested that heparin or changes induced by heparin, such as a change in the lysolecithidlecithin ratio, may be responsible for the lack of influence of high plasma FFA on platelet number and platelet lipids.