Effects of dietary and pharmacologic alteration of serum lipids on platelet survival time.

Platelet survival time (SURV) (autologous labelling with 51Chromium) was shortened (3 +/- 0.03 days; average t 1/2 +/- SEM; normal t 1/2 3.7 +/- 0.03 days) in 88 out of 128 (69%) men with coronary disease. In 35 out of 47 men with hyperprebetalipoproteinemia, SURV was shortened (3 +/- 0.09 days) (74%). Of 30 men with hyperbetalipoproteinemia, SURV was shortened (2.5 +/- 0.10 days) in 26 (87%). Of 51 men without hyperlipoproteinemia, SURV was normal (3.3 +/- 0.10 days) in 24 (47%). Dietary alteration of serum triglyceride was undertaken in 12 men with hyperprebetalipoproteinemia, and in eight a decrease of triglyceride of more than 75 mg% was achieved (324 +/- 21-219 +/- 18 mg%; P less than 0.001) with an increase of SURV (2.2 +/- 0.11-2.8 +/- 0.13 days; P less than 0.001). In four, serum triglyceride increased by more than 75 mg% (279 +/- 14-451 +/- 28 mg%) and SURV decreased (2.7 +/- 0.16-2.3 +/- 0.21 days). Cholestyramine (16 g g.d.) and diet decreased serum cholesterol (348 +/- 7.6-319 +/- 6.3 mg%; P less than 0.001) in 15 men with hyperbetalipoproteinemia and SURV increased (2.3 +/- 0.08-2.7 +/- 0.07 days; P less than 0.001). Results suggest that SURV is shortened in men with coronary disease, particularly in those with hyperlipoproteinemia, and that alteration of triglyceride and cholesterol are associated with alteration of SURV.