Key result
Ovulation was associated with higher numbers of platelet-granulocyte and platelet-monocyte aggregates compared to other time-points of the menstrual cycle (p=0.005 and p=0.022, respectively).
Why the study?
Does the phase of the menstrual cycle affect the formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in healthy women?
Observational (n=20)
Does the phase of the menstrual cycle affect the formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in healthy women?
p-value: p=0.005 and 0.022
Platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation and platelet activation peak at ovulation, suggesting a cycle-dependent variation in susceptibility to thromboembolic events.
Should not yet change practice; hypothesis-generating for cycle-dependent thrombotic susceptibility and warrants prospective confirmation.
Platelet-leukocyte aggregates are considered to play a significant role in blood coagulation and inflammatory processes. We hypothesized that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect the formation of heterotypic aggregates and therefore may constitute cycle-dependent variations of the susceptibility for thromboembolic events and inflammatory disease. We therefore measured platelet-leukocyte interaction by the determination of platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLA), platelet P-Selectin expression, and platelet fibrinogen receptor activation by PAC-1 binding in 20 healthy women during their menstrual cycle by flow cytometry. The number of platelet-granulocyte aggregates (PGA) and platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMA) was higher at ovulation compared to any other time-point of the menstrual cycle (p = 0.005, p = 0.022, respectively). Likewise, P-Selectin expression peaked on day 14 (p = 0.040). The course of PLA formation during the menstrual cycle followed the course of estrogen levels, strongly suggesting direct effects of estrogen on platelet-leukocyte interaction. The susceptibility to form platelet-leukocyte aggregates that are inducible in vitro by a suboptimal concentration of thrombin receptor activating peptide-6 decreased slightly during the transition from day 1 to 14 (p = 0.040). These data indicate that platelet function varies during particular phases of the normal menstrual cycle.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Rosin et al. (2005) conducted an observational in Healthy (n=20). Ovulation (menstrual cycle phase) vs. Other time-points of the menstrual cycle was evaluated on Number of platelet-granulocyte aggregates (PGA) and platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMA) (p=0.005 and 0.022). Ovulation was associated with higher numbers of platelet-granulocyte and platelet-monocyte aggregates compared to other time-points of the menstrual cycle (p=0.005 and p=0.022, respectively).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: