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Cocoa inhibits platelet activation and function.

Date:
Publisher: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Authors: Rein, D.; Paglieroni, T. G.; Wun, T.; Pearson, D. A.; Schmitz, H. H.; Gosselin, R.; Keen, C. L.

BACKGROUND:

Epidemiologic studies have shown inverse associations between dietary polyphenols and mortality from coronary heart disease. However, the basis for this protective association is uncertain. Food polyphenols reportedly have antioxidant properties and decrease platelet function in vitro.

OBJECTIVE:
This study sought to evaluate whether consumption of a polyphenol-rich cocoa beverage modulates human platelet activation and primary hemostasis.

DESIGN:
Peripheral blood was obtained from 30 healthy subjects before and 2 and 6 h after ingestion of acocoa beverage (n = 10), a caffeine-containing control beverage (n = 10), or water (n = 10). Platelet activation was measured in terms of expression of activation-dependent platelet antigens andplatelet microparticle formation by using fluorescent-labeled monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Primary platelet-related hemostasis was measured with a platelet function analyzer.

RESULTS:
Ex vivo epinephrine- or ADP-stimulated expression of the fibrinogen-binding conformation of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa was lower 2 and 6 h after consumption of cocoa than before consumption.Cocoa consumption also decreased ADP-stimulated P-selectin expression. In contrast, epinephrine-induced platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa expression increased after consumption of the caffeine-containing beverage but not after water consumption. Platelet microparticle formation decreased 2 and 6 h after cocoa consumption but increased after caffeine and water consumption. Primary hemostasis in response to epinephrine in vitro was inhibited 6 h after cocoa consumption. The caffeine-containing beverage inhibited ADP-induced primary hemostasis 2 and 6 h after consumption.

CONCLUSIONS:
Cocoa consumption suppressed ADP- or epinephrine-stimulated platelet activation and plateletmicroparticle formation. Cocoa consumption had an aspirin-like effect on primary hemostasis.

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