The formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates varies during the menstrual cycle

Platelets. 2006 Feb;17(1):61-6. doi: 10.1080/09537100500227021.

Abstract

Platelet-leukocyte aggregates are considered to play a significant role in blood coagulation and inflammatory processes. We hypothesized that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect the formation of heterotypic aggregates and therefore may constitute cycle-dependent variations of the susceptibility for thromboembolic events and inflammatory disease. We therefore measured platelet-leukocyte interaction by the determination of platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLA), platelet P-Selectin expression, and platelet fibrinogen receptor activation by PAC-1 binding in 20 healthy women during their menstrual cycle by flow cytometry. The number of platelet-granulocyte aggregates (PGA) and platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMA) was higher at ovulation compared to any other time-point of the menstrual cycle (p = 0.005, p = 0.022, respectively). Likewise, P-Selectin expression peaked on day 14 (p = 0.040). The course of PLA formation during the menstrual cycle followed the course of estrogen levels, strongly suggesting direct effects of estrogen on platelet-leukocyte interaction. The susceptibility to form platelet-leukocyte aggregates that are inducible in vitro by a suboptimal concentration of thrombin receptor activating peptide-6 decreased slightly during the transition from day 1 to 14 (p = 0.040). These data indicate that platelet function varies during particular phases of the normal menstrual cycle.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Platelets / cytology
  • Blood Platelets / physiology*
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 2
  • Estrogens / analysis
  • Female
  • Fibrinogen / analysis
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes / cytology
  • Leukocytes / physiology*
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology*
  • P-Selectin / biosynthesis
  • Platelet Activation / physiology
  • Platelet Aggregation / physiology*
  • Platelet Count
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / metabolism
  • Receptors, Fibrinogen / metabolism
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • P-Selectin
  • Receptors, Fibrinogen
  • Fibrinogen
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • DUSP2 protein, human
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 2
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases