For patients with low platelet counts—such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer—uncontrolled bleeding is a grave concern.
Other than transfusions, current medical interventions offer little in boosting platelet counts. However, new research suggests that a dietary intervention might provide a novel solution.
PUFA to the Rescue?
A study led by Kellie Machlus, Ph.D., and Maria Barrachina, Ph.D., in the Vascular Biology Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, found that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the Mediterranean diet could raise platelet counts in mice.
On the other hand, a diet high in saturated fatty acids decreased platelet counts. This groundbreaking research was recently published in Nature Cardiovascular Research.
Surprising Insights into Membrane Fluidity
The membrane of megakaryocytes, the precursor cells for platelets, has a unique composition that allows it to form long extensions.
The team theorized that the membrane’s fluidity might be influenced by its fatty acid content.
For the first time, lipidomics was used to study megakaryocyte membranes and it was found that PUFAs are indeed enriched in these cells, mainly when they are about to produce platelets.
The Role of CD36
Researchers identified a receptor, CD36, on megakaryocytes that is essential for PUFA uptake from the blood. In mice where the CD36 gene was deleted, low platelet counts were observed.
The significance of this receptor was further highlighted when a family with a CD36 gene mutation also displayed low platelet counts and bleeding episodes.
From Bench to Bedside: The Next Steps
Encouraged by these findings, Barrachina is planning further studies involving patients already participating in dietary intervention trials focusing on cardiovascular disease in Spain.
The aim is to investigate if membrane saturated fatty acids lead platelets to a more activated state, contributing to clot formation.
Machlus, on the other hand, believes that while encouraging patients to consume more olive oil for PUFA content might be beneficial, targeting enzymes that produce PUFAs pharmaceutically could be a more practical approach.
Implications and Outlook
This study offers a compelling argument for the potential of dietary interventions, specifically a PUFA-rich diet like the Mediterranean diet, in managing conditions involving low platelet counts.
While more research is needed, especially in human subjects, this discovery paves the way for more holistic approaches to medical challenges, possibly reducing the need for invasive treatments like transfusions.
If validated in humans, such dietary interventions could fundamentally change the way we manage low platelet counts in vulnerable populations, making a daily dose of olive oil more than just a tasty choice—it could be a life-saving one.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about breakfast linked to better blood vessel health, and drinking too much coffee could harm people with high blood pressure.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse diabetes.
The study was published in Nature Cardiovascular Research.
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