The Influence of Hyperlipidemia on Platelet Activity Markers in Patients after Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between hyperlipidemia and platelet activation markers--platelet and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), and platelet-derived microparticles (PDMPs)--in patients after ischemic stroke. METHODS: 41 patients after ischemic stroke (>3 months) confirmed by CT were divided into 2 groups: with hyperlipidemia (HL, n = 21) and normolipidemia (NL, n = 20). Twenty healthy subjects served as controls. CD62P-positive platelets and PDMPs in whole blood were analyzed by the use of a flow cytometer and anti-CD61 and anti-CD62P monoclonal antibodies. Platelets were activated by thrombin (0.08 units). The level of sP-selectin in serum was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: We observed a significantly higher CD62P expression and percentage of CD62P-positive resting and thrombin-activated platelets in the HL as compared to the NL group. The sP-selectin concentration was also significantly higher in HL than NL subjects (p < 0.05). Moreover, we observed a significantly higher percentage of PDMPs in patients after stroke (NL: p < 0.05; HL: p = 0.005) in comparison with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients after stroke present symptoms of platelet hyperreactivity. HL in the patients may be a risk factor for vascular events due to the increase in platelet activation.