Decreased Sensitivity of Platelets to Prostacyclin in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

In order to ascertain the platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin (PGI2) in patients with diabetes mellitus, we determined the percentage inhibition of platelet aggregation and platelet ATP secretion following PGI2 addition in an in vitro system. The percentage inhibition of platelet aggregation caused by PGI2 in final concentration of 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 ng/ml was significantly lower in diabetics than in healthy controls. That of platelet ATP secretion by 1.25 or 2.5 ng/ml of PGI2 was also significantly lower in diabetics. These data suggested that in patients with diabetes mellitus, the decreased sensitivity of platelets to PGI2 will bring about hypercoagulability and may become one of the risk factors of diabetic microangiopathy in cooperation with lowered vascular PGI2 generation.

Thiazolidinediones as anti‐inflammatory and anti‐atherogenic agents

“…These anomalies may account for the hypersensitivity of platelets to aggregants (including thrombin, collagen, epinephrine, ADP and thromboxane A 2 ) [87] or hyposensitivity to anti-aggregants (such as NO or prostacyclin) [88,89], and are thought to contribute to enhanced atherosclerosis via increased platelet activity at sites of vessel injury.…”

Platelet abnormalities in diabetes mellitus

“…Moreover, the synthesis of PGI 2 is decreased [54] and the platelet sensitivity to PGI 2 is diminished [55]. The number of PGI 2 receptors appears to be normal in people with type I and type II diabetes [56], but the level of G-protein inhibitory is decreased [57].…”

Platelet Sensitivity in Vitro to the Prostacyclin Analogue Iloprost in Diabetic Patients

“…When prostacyclin was used in vitro to counteract the aggregation of platelets taken from diabetic patients, higher concentrations had to be used than in normal subjects (Bettetidgeet al 1982;Akai, Naka, Okuda, Takemura and Fujii 1983).…”