Enhanced in Vivo Platelet Activation in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Plasma levels of platelet factor 4 (PF4) determined in 58 apparently healthy subjects increased with age. In 66 insulin-dependent diabetics, PF4 plasma levels were increased by unrelated to the age of the subject. Mean fibrinopeptide A levels were elevated in the diabetics but not correlated to PF4 levels. Activation of the coagulation system with thrombin generation thus seems to be operative in diabetes, but the enhanced platelet activation also observed in this disease is probably not thrombin mediated. No correlation was found between PF4 plasma concentration and the degree of vascular complication, HB A1c, blood glucose, 24-h urinary glucose, serum cholesterol or serum triglycerides.