Figure 3

Effects of α-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol, and tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) on adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation: α-Tocopherol (250 μg), α-tocotrienol (250 μg) or TRF (250 μg) were dissolved in polyethylene glycol (1 mL each) and stored at -20°C. Plasma (40 mL) was warmed to 50°C (20 min) prior to injection. The α-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol or TRF solution was added to the warmed plasma and vortexed vigorously, and then administered over 30 seconds through a femoral arterial line of the anesthetized dog. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP; 20 μmol/mL) in a volume of 32 μL was added to 400 μL of PRP that had been incubated at 37°C for 2 min. The extent of adenosine diphosphate -induced platelet aggregation was quantitated by measuring the percent maximal aggregation at 2.5 min and 6 min after adding ADP. Data are expressed as means ± SD, n = 3 (α-tocopherol), 3 (α-tocotrienol), and 4 (TRF) dogs respectively, per treatment. Figure 3A is based on raw values and 3B based on percentages compared to their respective pre-dose and post-dose control values. An asterisk indicates significant differences at P < 0.05 for each treatment compared to their respective control values.