Consumption of a mediterranean lean fish enriched with Platelet-Activating Factor inhibitors favorably modulates hemostasis and thrombosis in healthy adults with overweight

Abstract

Blood coagulation prevents excessive bleeding but also contributes to thrombosis. Studies suggest that consuming more than two fish meals weekly reduces platelet aggregation induced by various agonists. Among them, Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF), a potent inflammatory lipid, plays a key role in atherogenesis. Previous studies demonstrated that a polar lipid extract from olive pomace (OOPLE), containing PAF inhibitors, reduced atherogenesis in animals. This double-blind, randomized, crossover trial investigated the effects of consuming gilthead sea bream fed with OOPLE-enriched feed (EF) versus conventional feed (CF) on platelet aggregation and hemostatic markers in adults with overweight. Participants (35–70 years, BMI 25–35 kg/m²) consumed two servings of EF or CF per week for one month, separated by a one-month washout. EF intake significantly reduced platelet aggregation in response to PAF (44%) and ADP (67%) compared to CF (p=0.002), and slightly decreased activated partial thromboplastin time by 0.82 seconds (p=0.025). No significant differences were found in glucose and lipid metabolism, other hemostatic biomarkers, or red blood cell membrane fatty acid profiles between the two interventions. These findings suggest that incorporating olive pomace-derived polar lipids into aquaculture feed may enhance the cardioprotective effects of fish by reducing platelet activation—supporting a novel strategy to improve the health benefits of farmed fish.