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Effects of defibrotide on fibrinolytic activity in diabetic patients with stable angina pectoris

G Davì1, I Catalano, M Belvedere

  • 1Patologia Medica II, Università di Palermo, Italy.

Thrombosis Research
|January 15, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have altered blood clotting. Defibrotide treatment improved fibrinolysis by reducing plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), suggesting potential for preventing thrombotic events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are significant risk factors for thrombotic vascular complications.
  • Diabetic patients often exhibit dysregulated fibrinolysis, contributing to increased thrombotic risk.
  • Understanding the specific fibrinolytic alterations in diabetic CAD patients is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the fibrinolytic system parameters in patients with type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.
  • To evaluate the effects of long-term defibrotide treatment on fibrinolytic markers in this patient cohort.
  • To explore the potential therapeutic implications of modulating fibrinolytic activity in diabetic patients at high risk for thrombosis.

Main Methods:

  • Blood samples were collected from 18 patients with type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.
  • Measurements included tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen and activity, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) antigen and activity, and thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) complexes.
  • Fibrinolytic parameters were assessed before and after long-term defibrotide treatment.

Main Results:

  • Diabetic CAD patients exhibited elevated thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) complexes and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) levels compared to controls.
  • Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) levels were similar between diabetic CAD patients and controls.
  • Defibrotide treatment led to increased t-PA activity and a significant reduction in PAI antigen and activity.

Conclusions:

  • Diabetic patients with CAD present with a prothrombotic state characterized by increased TAT and PAI.
  • Long-term defibrotide treatment effectively modulates fibrinolytic parameters, increasing t-PA activity and decreasing PAI.
  • Pharmacological agents targeting PAI activity may offer therapeutic benefits in preventing thrombotic vascular complications in diabetic patients with stable angina.

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