The potential of anthocyanin-rich Queen Garnet plum juice supplementation in alleviating thrombotic risk under induced oxidative stress conditions

Increased oxidant production in humans induces a number of thrombotic consequences; including platelet hyperactivity/aggregability, which could be countered through specifically developed functional foods. We sought to determine the antithrombotic properties of anthocyanin-rich Queen Garnet plum juice (QGPJ) supplementation with and without exercise-induced oxidative stress. Thirteen healthy participants were investigated in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Participants consumed 200 mL/day of QGPJ and placebo juice for 28-days, with treatments separated by a two-week wash-out period. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 1 h of exercise (70% peak-O2 uptake) both before and after oral supplementation and evaluated for platelet function and haemostatic activity. QGPJ supplementation inhibited adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation both without and under exercise-induced oxidative stress by 10.7% (P < 0.01) and 12.7% (P < 0.001) respectively; arachidonic acid-induced aggregation under oxidative stress by 28.8% (P < 0.05); reduced platelet activation-dependant P-selectin expression by 32.9% (P < 0.01) and 38.7% (P < 0.001) both without and under oxidative stress respectively; and exhibited favourable effects on coagulation parameters both with and without oxidative stress. The anti-thrombotic activity exhibited by anthocyanin-rich QGPJ suggests a potential for cardiovascular disease risk reduction and may be considered as complementary anti-platelet nutritional therapy in pro-thrombotic population.