Summary
Short-term effects of moderate alcohol consumption on platelet function, tissue-type
plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) were studied
in two age groups of volunteers (20–30 and 45–55 years), each consisting of eight
healthy males. The alcohol (30 g in red port and wine) was consumed during a standard
dinner. Two blood samples were drawn: one in the postprandial phase, and one the next
morning after fasting overnight. Alcohol consumption tended to increase platelet aggregation
and production of hydroxy fatty acids, reduced plasma t-PA activity and increased
PAI activity in the postprandial phase. After the overnight fast the effects on t-PA
and PAI had disappeared whereas at that time alcohol consumption tended to decrease
platelet function. The effects of alcohol on t-PA and PAI activity appeared mainly
in the older age group, whereas the t-PA activity in this group was already much lower,
irrespective of alcohol consumption.
