[Connection between plasma thromboxane and prostacyclin levels in the metabolic control of diabetic children]

Platelet poor plasma thromboxane and prostacyclin levels and the quantity of metabolic control, altogether with vascular complications were evaluated in 55 children diabetes mellitus. The control group consisted of 33 healthy children of the similar age. Thromboxane levels remained unchanged in diabetics, while prostacyclin proved to be significantly decreased, which resulted in greater thromboxane/prostacyclin ratio. No meaningful differences were found according to the presence or absence of vascular complications in this group of diabetics. A positive correlation could have been detected between glycosylated haemoglobin and thromboxane levels, while a negative one between glycosylated haemoglobin and prostacyclin levels. The alterations of prostaglandin metabolism may be regarded as a consequence of diabetic metabolic changes, rather than of vascular complications. Disturbed prostaglandin metabolism in diabetic children might have a role in the pathogenesis of vascular complications.