Effects of dietary butylated hydroxytoluene on functional and biochemical properties of platelets and plasma preceding the occurrence of haemorrhage in rats

Measurements of platelet-particle concentration, platelet haematocrit and mean platelet volume showed no significant differences between control rats and rats given 1.2% butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in the diet for 1 wk, but the platelet distribution width was significantly smaller in the rats fed BHT. By optical measurement, epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation was found to be significantly decreased in both the platelet-rich plasma and washed platelets of rats given BHT. Phosphatidylethanolamine in the platelet lipid was significantly increased by BHT treatment, while in the total lipid of the platelets, linoleic acid and eicosatrienoic acid were increased and arachidonic acid was decreased. The arachidonic/linoleic ratio was decreased by about 50% in the platelets of BHT-treated rats. BHT ingestion also changed the lipid composition, the concentration of lipid hydroperoxides and the zinc content of the plasma. The relationship of the observed effects to haemostatic function is discussed.