What Effect Does Controlling Platelets Have on Atherosclerosis?

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Abstract
Platelets play important roles for hemostasis with activated platelets adhering to the injured vessel wall to initiate platelet aggregation. At the same time, our study revealed the cytotoxic effect on endothelial cells characterized by an increase of intracellular Ca++ and a decrease of EDRF production, which may cause plasmal infiltration including blood cells and lipids. Our clinical survey using a small dose of aspirin as an antiplatelet therapy clearly demonstrated its suppressive effect on platelet aggregation and its favorable effect on fibrinolysis. These data suggest that the therapeutic effect of aspirin in vascular disease could be applied to the prevention of thrombus formation and the protection of endothelial cells from the cytotoxic effect of activated platelets.

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