Inhibition of Platelets by Clopidogrel Suppressed Ang II‐Induced Vascular Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Remodeling

Background Platelets play a role in promoting inflammatory responses under several disease conditions. Platelets are activated in hypertensive patients. However, the mechanisms responsible for platelet‐mediating vascular inflammation are unknown. The present study investigated the role of platelets in promoting vascular inflammation following angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation, and the efficacy of antiplatelet intervention. Methods and Results Within a mouse model of Ang II infusion (490 ng/kg per min), we measured the portion of P‐selectin–positive platelets and platelet‐monocyte (P‐M) binding in blood samples, and platelet accumulation and P‐M binding in vessels under Ang II stimulation at days 1, 3, and 7. We tested the efficacy of clopidogrel (15 mg/kg per day, followed by 5 mg/kg per day) on Ang II‐induced platelet activation, P‐M binding, vascular platelet accumulation, as well as vascular inflammation and remodeling at day 7 or 14. Clopidogrel reduced platelet vascular deposition (28.7±2.4% versus...