Platelet Function in Uncomplicated Insulin‐dependent Diabetic Patients at Rest and Following Exercise

Abstract

There are conflicting reports of platelet function abnormalities in diabetic patients without vascular complications. We have studied in vitro platelet aggregation, using platelet rich plasma and whole blood techniques, in 18 patients with uncomplicated insulin-dependent diabetes and a matched group of 24 non-diabetic subjects. In addition we measured plasma beta-thromboglobulin levels in these groups, as an index of in vivo platelet activation, and compared the indices of in vitro and in vivo platelet function before and after maximal bicycle exercise. Before exercise plasma beta-thromboglobulin levels and platelet sensitivities to ADP, collagen or adrenaline, as assessed by both methods of platelet aggregation, were the same in diabetic and control subjects. Both groups showed similar increases in beta-thromboglobulin levels and in platelet sensitivity to all agonists in whole blood following exercise. Using platelet rich plasma there were no changes in platelet sensitivity in either group after exercise. In non-diabetic subjects, increases in noradrenaline levels after exercise correlated with increases in platelet sensitivity to adrenaline in whole blood. This was not observed in the diabetic group. Abnormalities of platelet function, using the techniques described here, are not present in diabetic patients who do not have clinical evidence of vascular disease.

Absence of effect of dipyridamole on renal and platelet function in diabetes mellitus.

“…Renal size (SD score) 0-25 (-0-07 to +0-57) 0-12 (-0-3 to +0 54) 0-13 (-0-31 to +0-57) URBP/UC (g/mmol) 8-2 (5 9 to 11-2) 14-5 (9 3 to 22-8) 10.9 (7-2 to UNAG/UC (Wlmol pnp/hr/mmol) 38 Table 3 Comparison ofrenal and platelet function in children with persistently high or progression to high UAIUC and those with normal UA/UC. Results expressed as mean (SEM) or geometric mean (95% confidence interval) from log data.…”