Abstract
Hypertension and atherosclerosis are debilitating diseases that affect millions each year. Long-term consequences include but are not limited to stroke, myocardial infarction, and kidney failure. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a proinflammatory mediator synthesized from a subclass of phosphatidylcholines that increases platelet activation, leukocyte adhesion, infiltration of macrophages, and intracellular lipid accumulation, thereby contributing to atherosclerosis. Magnesium, a key micronutrient and free radical scavenger, is a water-soluble mineral that regulates peripheral vasodilation and calcium, phosphate, and hydroxyapatite homeostasis. Magnesium’s antihypertensive ability stems from its role as a natural calcium antagonist and promoter of vasodilatory mediators, such as nitric oxide. Platelet-activating factor and magnesium share an inverse relationship, and elevated magnesium levels have been shown to have protective effects against plaque formation as well as antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic effects, all of which allow for healthier aging. The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the role of platelet-activating factor and magnesium in the pathophysiology of hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and aging. Since the pathophysiology of the platelet-activating factor biomolecule is underexplored, further research studies are warranted in order to navigate the putative signaling pathways involved in the cardioprotective effects of dietary magnesium as a natural anti-PAF agent.
Highlights
Published: 2 February 2022The homeostatic function of peripheral, coronary, and cerebral vasculature is dependent on the molecular functions of numerous chemical mediators
Platelets when activated by Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) or environmental stressors are prone to producing platelet derived microparticles (PMPs)
Hypertension leads to changes in blood vessels that contribute to atherosclerosis and platelet activation
Summary
The homeostatic function of peripheral, coronary, and cerebral vasculature is dependent on the molecular functions of numerous chemical mediators. Magnesium, being one of these mediators, is a micronutrient that has been shown to help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular complications resulting from hypertension [1]. This mineral has been implicated in decreasing levels of platelet activating factor (PAF), a proinflammatory mediator involved in the development of thrombogenic plaques [2,3]. Magnesium will be introduced along with its beneficial role in reducing hypertension and antagonism of PAF. This study will explore the roles of PAF and magnesium in cardiovascular disease pertaining to atherosclerosis, hypertension, and other relevant cardiac pathology.
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