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Healthy dietary patterns are associated with lower inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and adherence can be measured using diet quality scores. Inflammation is traditionally measured with C-reactive protein (hsCRP), however there is interest in novel pro-inflammatory markers platelet-activating factor (PAF) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) that are specifically involved in endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between PAF, Lp-PLA2, hsCRP, and six diet scores. One hundred adults (49 ± 13 years, 31% male) with variable CVD risk were recruited. Fasting PAF, Lp-PLA2 and hsCRP and usual dietary intake were measured. Adherence to Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Dairy-adjusted DASH, Vegetarian Lifestyle Index, Healthy Eating Index for Australians (HEIFA), Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and PREDIMED-Plus (erMedDiet) scores were calculated. Correlations and multiple regressions were performed. hsCRP, but not PAF, independently correlated with several diet scores. Lp-PLA2 independently correlated with Vegetarian Lifestyle Index only in unadjusted models. A one-point increase in adherence to the DASH Index, the Dairy-adjusted DASH Index and the Vegetarian Lifestyle Index was associated with a 30%, 30%, and 33% reduction in hsCRP levels, respectively. Smaller effects were seen with the other diet scores with a one-point increase in adherence resulting in a 19%, 22% and 16% reduction in hsCRP with HEIFA, MEDAS, erMedDiet scores, respectively. The lack of stronger associations between the novel markers of inflammation and diet scores may be due to confounding by COVID-19 infection and vaccination programs, which prevents any firm conclusion on the relationship between PAF, Lp-PLA2 and healthy dietary patterns. Future research should aim to examine the relationship with these novel markers and healthy dietary patterns in a non-pandemic setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• VITT is a complication ChAdOx1 nCoV19 vaccination (AZD1222) vaccination. • Clinicopathological features suggest a less severe phenotype when compared to confirmed cases of VITT post 1st dose AZD1222. • Fatalities were seen in cases of VITT post dose 2 in the context of concomitant factors. • Antibody-mediated platelet activation remains the hallmark of the disease. • Low levels of anti-PF4 raises the possibility of alternative pathways for platelet activation. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare but established complication of 1st dose ChAdOx1 nCoV19 vaccination (AZD1222), however this complication after dose 2 remains controversial. To describe the clinicopathological features of confirmed cases of VITT post dose 2 AZD1222 vaccination in Australia, and to compare this cohort to confirmed cases of VITT post 1st dose. Sequential cases of clinically suspected VITT (thrombocytopenia, D-Dimer > 5x upper limit normal and thrombosis) within 4–42 days of dose 2 AZD1222 referred to Australia's centralised testing centre underwent platelet activation confirmatory testing in keeping with the national diagnostic algorithm. Final classification was assigned after adjudication by an expert advisory committee. Descriptive statistics were performed on this cohort and comparative analyses carried out on confirmed cases of VITT after 1st and 2nd dose AZD1222. Of 62 patients referred, 15 demonstrated presence of antibody mediated platelet activation consistent with VITT after dose 2 AZD1222. Four were immunoassay positive. Median time to presentation was 13 days (range 1–53) platelet count 116x10^9/L (range 63–139) and D-dimer elevation 14.5xULN (IQR 11, 26). Two fatalities occurred. In each, the dosing interval was less than 30 days. In comparison to 1st dose, dose 2 cases were more likely to be male (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.3–15.8, p = 0.03), present with higher platelet counts (p = 0.05), lower D-Dimer (p = 01) and less likely to have unusual site thromboses (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.04–0.28, p = 0.02). VITT is a complication of dose 2 AZD1222 vaccination. Whilst clinicopathological features are less severe, fatalities occurred in patients with concomitant factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Platelet hyperactivity has a crucial role in initiating vascular thrombosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD).Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of anthocyanins (AC) on platelet aggregation and activation and lipid profile.Study Design: A total of 26 healthy participants consumed 320 mg of AC/day in the form of Medox® capsules for 28 days.Setting: This study was conducted in the laboratories of the School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.Participants: A total of 26 randomly recruited healthy 25- to 75-year-old participants completed this study.Primary Outcome Measures: Fasting blood samples were collected pre- and post-the intervention period to perform platelet activation studies by measuring platelet surface marker expression of CD41a and P-selectin, and platelet-monocyte aggregates in adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stimulated platelets. Platelet aggregation studies were performed by stimulating platelets with various agonists such as ADP, collagen and arachidonic acid. Full blood examination, coagulation and biochemistry profile analyses were also performed pre- and post-intervention. Flow cytometric analysis showed a significant effect of AC on the expression of P-selectin as measured by the platelet surface expression of CD62p.Results: There was a significant reduction of ADP-stimulated platelet aggregation. Hematologic analysis showed a significant reduction of mean platelet volume, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell hemoglobin concentration. Coagulation analysis demonstrated significant attenuation of fibrinogen level in the blood.Conclusion: This study showed inhibition of platelet activity, platelet aggregation and mean platelet volume (MPV). These results suggest that AC has a positive impact on attenuating platelet activity, which might minimize thrombotic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]