Quercetin improves platelet function and ultrastructure in cholestatic liver injury in rats: Role of ORAI1 gene expression

Platelet dysfunction in liver diseases and especially in cholestatic liver diseases is not fully understood. The aim of the present work is to investigate the functional changes of platelets in bile duct ligated (BDL) rat model of cholestasis. The work was conducted on 30 male rats divided into 3 groups: Sham, BDL and quercetin-treated BDL (BDL-Q). Results: Rats from the BDL group showed prolonged bleeding time and diminished platelet aggregation in response to ADP (50 μmol/L), however, changes in platelet count were insignificant. Electron microscopic (EM) photos of platelets from BDL group showed signs of activation. vWF levels were decreased in the plasma of BDL group. ORAI1 gene expression was significantly reduced in their platelets after being exposed to ADP. In BDL-Q rats, bleeding time and platelet aggregation defects were improved. EM demonstrated a picture that is midway between sham and BDL platelets. vWF levels and ORAI1 gene expression increased significantly. ORAI1 expression in platelets was positively correlated to vWF levels. The study concluded that defective platelet function in BDL rat model of cholestasis is due to decrease ORAI1 gene expression and that quercetin administration enhances its expression and improves platelet function.