1H-NMR lipid profiles of human blood platelets; links with coronary artery disease

Blood platelets are closely involved in the early development of atherosclerosis and in the events that lead to thrombosis, both of which are dominating factors in coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the platelet lipid profiles of patients suffering from CAD and explore the possibility of a link between platelet lipids and CAD, using high-resolution high-field proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as the analytical tool. The total platelet lipid profiles of healthy volunteers were compared with those of patients presenting with chest pain requiring coronary angiography. Two lipid groups changed significantly: cholesterol increased by 16.5% and total diacylglycerophospholipids decreased by 15.7%. There was also a significant decrease of the ethanolamine-containing phospholipids, by 4.7%; the extent of unsaturation of the fatty acid chains, by 0.2, and increase of the linoleate content of the fatty acid chains, by 1.9%. Our results suggest that platelet lipid abnormalities occur in patients with CAD and these changes may predate the development of overt atherosclerosis.