Impact of epicatechin on fibrin clot structure

Fibrin clot structure and function are major determinants of thromboembolic diseases. The study aim was to determine the impact of epicatechin (a flavonoid with cardiovascular protective effects) on fibrin clot structure and permeability. Plasma samples from 12 healthy subjects were incubated with increasing concentrations of epicatechin. Turbidity of fibrin clot was analyzed by absorbance measurement at 405 nm. The fibrin clot nanostructure was determined by scanning spectrometry (wavelength from 500 to 800 nm) and fibrin fiber size by electron microscopy. Permeability was analyzed to assess the fibrin clot functional properties. Epicatechin addition increased the maximum absorbance from 0.34 ± 0.066 (vehicle) to 0.35 ± 0.077 (P = 0.1), 0.35 ± 0.072 (P