BACKGROUND: Platelet membranes are extremely susceptible to peroxidation, forming a variety of lipid peroxides, including malondialdehyde (MDA), which has been implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLAs) are known to contribute to advanced endothelial injury and atherogenesis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fatty acid (FA) methyl esters of the platelet membranes of 79 apparently healthy men without any acute clinical condition at the time of the study were identified by GC/MS. MDA was measured by HPLC in blood serum, and PLAs were analyzed by whole-blood flow cytometry. Individuals were divided into quartiles according to MDA concentration and percentage of PLAs formation. The composition of platelet membrane FAs was compared to MDA concentration and the percentage of PLAs formation in apparently healthy individuals.

RESULTS: In quartiles (Q) with higher MDA concentration, percentage of C 16: 1ω7 (Q₁ vs. Q₃, p=0.021), C 20: 1ω9 (Q₂ vs. Q₄, p=0.028) and C 20: 5ω3 (Q₂ vs. Q₄, p=0.046) was lower. However, C 22: 5ω3 (Q₁ vs. Q₄, p=0.038) and total ω3 (Q₁ vs. Q₂, p=0.024) were higher.

CONCLUSIONS: MDA and the formation of platelet–monocyte aggregates stimulate the incorporation of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in platelet phospholipid membranes, which may be a hallmark for a changed level of biologically active compounds required for the activation of future platelets.

Keywords: Malondialdehyde, Platelet Activation, Blood Platelets, Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated, Fatty Acids, Unsaturated, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, healthy volunteers, Lipid Peroxidation, Phospholipids, Platelet Aggregation