Abstract
The increased risk of venous thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, and brain thrombosis were reported in chronic alcoholics after abstinence from alcohol. The present experiments were designed to study the effect of prolonged alcohol consumption on platelet functions. Platelet aggregation, platelet adhesiveness, plasma levels of β-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4, and platelet count in blood were examined in 54 chronic alcoholics immediately, one week and four weeks after abstinence from alcohol. Citrated platelet rich plasma was prepared by centrifusing the blood at 800 rpm for 10 minutes at room temperature. Plate-let aggregation was induced by 1μM ADP, 1μM epinephrin or 0.5 μg/ml collagen, and was measured turbidimetrically with continuous reading of light transmission for 10 min-utes. Platelet aggregation rate was significantly decreased in chronic alcoholics immedi-ately after abstinence from alcohol, when compared to healthy controls. However, the rate returned to the normal level after one week. Furthermore, at four weeks after ab-stinence, the rate was significantly increased in chronic alcoholics than healthy controls. These changes in platelet aggregation rate were concomitant with the changes in pltaelet count after abstinence. Moreover, plasma levels of β-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 measured by radioimmunoassay were already significantly increased in chronic alcoholics on admission. These levels were moderately increased after abstinence. Platelet adhe-siveness was not altered after prolonged alcohol consumption.
In conclusion, platelet aggregation was promoted in chronic alcoholics after abstinence from alcohol. This alteration of platelet function might be associated with the development of complication in chronic alcoholics.
