ADP-Induced Platelet Aggregation as a Function of Age in Healthy Humans

Summary

In 120 healthy humans (58 males and 62 females) possible differences in platelet aggregability were investigated with respect to age and sex. By using a narrow range of final ADP concentrations (0.2-1.0 μM) primary and secondary aggregation were evaluated. The rate of primary aggregation was shown to be significantly related to increasing age and this was true for both sexes.

As regards secondary aggregation the same pattern was seen in the group of male subjects. Thus, among the youngest (<34 years) the frequency of secondary waves was only one third of that encountered among the oldest (>50 years). No similar association was detectable among the female subjects.

The present study calls attention to some important issues which should be considered in platelet aggregation studies; the interpretation of data obtained from such studies invariably requires a careful selection of appropriate age- as well as sex-matched control groups.

Keywords

Platelet aggregation - Age - Sex

• References

• 1 Haft JI. Role of blood platelets in coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 1979; 43: 1197-1206
• 2 Frishman WH, Weksler BB, Christodoulou JP, Smithen C, Killip T. Reversal of abnormal platelet aggregability and change in exercise tolerance in patients with angina pectoris following propranolol. Circulation 1974; 50: 887-896
• 3 Gormsen J, Dalsgaard-Nielsen J, Agerskov-Andersen L. ADP-induced platelet aggregation in vitro in patients with ischemic heart disease and peripheral thromboatherosclerosis. Acta Med Scand 1977; 201: 509-513
• 4 Dougherty JH, Levy DE, Weksler BB. Platelet activation in acute cerebral ischaemia. Serial measurements of platelet function in cerebrovascular disease. Lancet 1977; 1: 821-824
• 5 Couch JR, Hassanein RS. Platelet aggregation, stroke, and transient ischemic attack in middle-aged and elderly patients. Neurology 1976; 26: 888-895
• 6 Nordoy A, Svensson B, Haycraft D, Hoak JC, Wiebe D. The influence of age, sex and the use of oral contraceptives on the inhibitory effects of endothelial cells and PGI₂(prostacyklin) on platelet function. Scand J Haematol 1978; 21: 177-187
• 7 Sano T, Motomiya T, Yamazaki H, Shimamoto T. Enhancement of platelet sensitivity to ADP-aggregation by isometric exercise in arteriosclerotic patients and its prevention. Thromb Haemostas 1977; 37: 329-338
• 8 Johnson M, Ramey E, Ramwell PW. Sex and age differences in human platelet aggregation. Nature 1975; 253: 355-357
• 9 Kelton JG, Powers P, Julian J, Boland V, Carter CJ, Gent M, Hirsh J. Sex-related differences in platelet aggregation: influence of hematocrit. Blood 1980; 56: 38-41
• 10 Vilen L, Kutti J, Freden K, Lundborg P, Cronberg S. The peripheral platelet count and ADP-induced platelet aggregation in response to metoprolol and propranolol as studied in young healthy male volunteers. Scand J Haematol 1983; 31: 440-446
• 11 Vericel E, Croset M, Sedivy P, Courpron Ph, Dechavanne M, Lagarde M. Platelets and aging I-aggregation, arachidonate metabolism and antioxidant status. Thromb Res 1988; 49: 331-342
• 12 Yokoyama M, Kusui A, Sakamoto S, Fukuzaki H. Age-associated increments in human platelet alfa-adrenoceptor capacity. Possible mechanism for platelet hyperactivity to epinephrine in aging man Thromb Res 1984; 34: 287-295
• 13 Yamanishi J, Sano H, Saito K, Furuta Y, Fukuzaki H. Plasma concentrations of platelet-specific proteins in different stages of essential hypertension: interactions between platelet aggregation, blood, lipids and age. Thromb Haemostas 1985; 54: 539-543
• 14 Ahlsten G, Ewald U, Tuvemo T. Arachidonic acid-induced aggregation of platelets from human cord blood compared with platelets from adults. Biol Neonate 1985; 47: 199-204
• 15 Paolucci S, Buttinelli C, Lucignani G, Prencipe N. Platelet in vivo aggregation and aging. Monogr Neural Sci 1984; 11: 240-245
• 16 Wu KK, Hoak JC. A new method for the quantitative detection of platelet aggregation in patients with arterial insufficiency. Lancet 1974; 2: 924-926
• 17 Vilén L. Kvantitativa och kvalitativa aspekter på trombocyter. Vasastadens Boktryckeri; Göteborg: 1984
• 18 Johnson M, Ramey E, Ramwell PW. Androgen-mediated sensitivity in platelet aggregation. Am J Physiol 1977; 232: H381-H385
• 19 Ahlsten G, Ewald U, Tuvemo T. Arachidonic-acid-induced platelet aggregation is increased in male but not in female smokers. Prostaglandins Leucotrienes Med 1986; 21: 149-156
• 20 de la Cruz JP, Bellido I, Camara S, Martos F, Sanchez de la Cuesta F. Effects of acetylsalicylic acid on platelet aggregation in male and female whole blood: an in vitro study. Scand J Haematol 1986; 36: 394-397
• 21 Emms H, Lewis GP. Sex and hormonal influences on platelet sensitivity and coagulation in the rat. Br J Pharmacol 1985; 86: 557-563
• 22 Abbate R, Favilla S, Boddi M, Constanzo G, Prisco D. Factors influencing platelet aggregation in whole blood. Am J Clin Pharmacol 1986; 86: 91-96