Effect of ethanol on platelet function

Epidemiological studies have linked an inhibition of platelet function by e thanol, among other factors, to the cardioprotective effects of moderate et hanol consumption. Platelet defects have been noted in alcoholics and in hu man experimental studies. Importantly, in in vivo experimental settings! et hanol diminishes thrombus formation on damaged arterial walls. Ethanol inhi bits platelet activation in vitro in response to diverse agonists. Phosphol ipase A(2) is a major site for ethanol inhibition, corresponding to a reduc tion in the formation of stimulatory arachidonate metabolites. Additional s ignal transduction pathways are likely targets for ethanol including phosph oinositide-specific phospholipase C and cyclic AMP. The role of additional cofactors in the inhibition of platelet responses by ethanol is discussed.