Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
07:13
Platelet-based Detection of Nitric Oxide in Blood by Measuring VASP Phosphorylation
Published on: January 7, 2019
Platelet nitrate responsiveness in fasting and postprandial type 2 diabetes
Richard A Anderson1, Gethin R Ellis, L Marc Evans
1Wales Heart Research Institute, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, Wales. RAAnderson@tiscali.co.uk
Diabetes & Vascular Disease Research
|November 25, 2005
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients show reduced platelet sensitivity to nitric oxide (NO) donors, leading to increased platelet aggregation. This hyporesponsiveness is linked to elevated oxidative stress in T2DM.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Endocrinology
- Hematology
Background:
- Vascular responsiveness to nitrates is impaired in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
- Platelet function and sensitivity to nitric oxide (NO) in T2DM require further investigation, particularly in the postprandial state.
- The relationship between platelet NO resistance, oxidative stress, and endothelial function in T2DM is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine platelet responsiveness to NO donors in T2DM patients compared to healthy controls.
- To assess the impact of the postprandial (PP) state on platelet sensitivity to NO donors in T2DM.
- To correlate platelet NO resistance with markers of oxidative stress and endothelial function in T2DM.
Main Methods:
- Assessed platelet aggregation inhibition by NO donors (sodium nitroprusside and glyceryl trinitrate) in response to ADP.
- Measured oxidative stress using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and lipid peroxidation markers.
- Evaluated endothelial function via brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD).
- Studied 12 T2DM patients and 15 healthy controls in fasting and postprandial states.
Main Results:
- T2DM patients exhibited increased fasting platelet aggregation compared to controls.
- Platelet aggregation in T2DM was significantly less inhibited by NO donors (SNP and GTN) than in controls.
- Platelet NO hyporesponsiveness in T2DM was consistent in both fasting and postprandial states.
- T2DM patients showed elevated levels of oxidative stress, which correlated with platelet abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Platelets in T2DM patients are hyporesponsive to NO donors, accompanied by increased aggregation.
- Elevated oxidative stress is associated with platelet abnormalities in T2DM.
- The postprandial state did not significantly alter platelet NO resistance in T2DM patients studied.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated hypertension...
01:24Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
01:29Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
01:26Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which target tissues such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue respond poorly to insulin. It is also associated with inadequate compensatory insulin secretion, where pancreatic β-cells fail to produce sufficient insulin. Together, these abnormalities lead to persistent hyperglycemia.EtiologyT2DM develops through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental or...
01:06Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Repaglinide (Prandin) and Nateglinide (Starlix), known as glinides, are oral insulin secretagogues that stimulate insulin release from pancreatic β cells by closing the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channel). Repaglinide controls insulin release from pancreatic β cells by managing potassium efflux. It shares two binding sites with sulfonylureas and also has a unique site, indicating overlapping mechanisms of action. With a rapid onset and a 4-7 hour duration, it effectively manages...