Sensitivity of platelet aggregation appears related to the lipoprotein profile and atherosclerosis risk in humans and across species

Abstract

Platelet aggregation sensitivity was assessed in nine species of animals, including humans, with disparate susceptibility to atherosclerosis and a wide range in their LDL/HDL profiles. Platelet aggregation sensitivity between species varied almost 20-fold. The most sensitive platelets were found in humans and rabbits, followed by squirrel and rhesus monkeys with the most resistant platelets in cats, hamsters, rats, cebus monkeys, and gerbils. Species platelet aggregation sensitivity correlated well with relative susceptibility to atherosclerosis. The relationship between LDL/HDL ratio and platelet aggregation was significant, both across species (r = 0.76, without cebus) and within species (r = 0.50 for humans).