Intermittent Fasting Reduces Platelet Activation and Thrombosis Risk : Study
Researchers have found in a recent study that intermittent fasting (IF) diminishes platelet activation and the risk of thrombosis significantly in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and in animal models. Hyperreactivity of platelets plays a critical role in thrombosis, one of the predominant causes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke. The findings demonstrated that IF inhibits platelet activation and thrombosis by enhancing intestinal flora production of indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), which in turn modulates platelet function through pregnane X receptor (PXR)-mediated pathways. The study was recently published in the journal of Life Metabolism by Zhiyong Qi and colleagues.
The study examined the effects of IF on platelet activation and thrombotic risk in two models: patients with coronary artery disease and Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE−/−) mice, a general model for studying atherosclerosis. Scientists examined the way IF influences gut microbiota composition, promoting the production of IPA. The research then investigated how high IPA levels influence platelet function by binding to PXR on platelets, thus modulating intracellular signaling pathways in thrombosis. Furthermore, myocardial and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury models were employed to evaluate the protective effects of IF against cardiovascular events.
Key Findings
• Platelet Activation Reduction: IF significantly repressed platelet activation in models of humans and animals.
• Increased IPA Production: IF produced elevated plasma levels of IPA, which inhibited platelet activation directly.
• PXR Pathway Activation: IPA has occupied the platelet PXR receptor and reduced activity in key signaling pathways (Src/Lyn/Syk and LAT/PLCγ/PKC/Ca2+), which are key players in platelet activation.
• Thrombosis Prevention: IF lowered thrombosis risk in ApoE−/− mice, potentially indicating cardiovascular protective effects.
• Protection from Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: IF reduced myocardial and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in ApoE−/− mice, further indicating its cardiovascular protective role.
Researchers concluded that intermittent fasting decreases platelet activation and the risk of thrombosis through enhanced IPA production, which engages PXR-associated pathways in platelets. The incorporation of IF into therapeutic plans can potentially bring about better patient outcomes compared to standard pharmacologic treatment.
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