Postprandial changes in the phospholipid composition of circulating microparticles are not associated with coagulation activation.

INTRODUCTION

Evidence is present that the phospholipid composition of circulating cell-derived microparticles (MP) affects coagulation in vivo, and that postprandial metabolic alterations may be associated with hypercoagulable state. Our objective was to investigate whether postprandial metabolic responses affect the phospholipid composition of MP, and whether such changes are associated with coagulation activation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve healthy males were studied twice and randomly received two consecutive meals or remained fasted. Blood was collected before and at 2, 4, 6 and 8h following breakfast. Plasma concentrations of prothrombin-F(1+2) and thrombin-antithrombin-complexes were measured. Numbers and cellular origin of MP were determined by flowcytometry. The phospholipid composition of MP was determined by hpTLC. In vitro procoagulant activity of MP was studied by fibrin generation.

RESULTS

During the meal visit, plasma glucose, triglyceride and insulin levels increased, compared to baseline and the fasting visit (all P<0.05). Postprandially, the total numbers of MP increased in time compared to the fasting visit (P<0.05). Erythrocyte-derived MP increased (6-fold) during the meal visit, but remained constant on the fasting day (P<0.001). On the meal versus fasting day circulating MP contained increased phosphatidylcholine (P<0.05) and decreased sphingomyelin (P<0.05) amounts. The amount of phosphatidylserine did not change. Concentrations of plasma F(1+2) and thrombin-antithrombin were similar on both days, as was the ability of MP to generate fibrin in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Although numbers, cellular origin and phospholipid composition of MP alter during exposure to two consecutive meals in healthy subjects, this does not lead to changes in the coagulation activation in vivo.