Platelet aggregation in non-insulin-dependent diabetes is associated with platelet fatty acids

Platelet aggregation was measured in 15 patients having non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) at the time of diagnosis and after three months of dietary treatment. Mean fasting plasma glucose fell from 13.0 to 8.8 mmol/l (p less than 0.0002), glycosylated haemoglobin fell from a mean of 11.3% to 9.0% (p less than 0.005) and insulin levels fell from a mean of 17.5 to 13.8 mU/l (p less than 0.005). Platelet aggregation showed a variable response and did not correlate with plasma glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin or plasma insulin. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out on the aggregation values against the biochemical variables and platelet phospholipid fatty acid levels following logarithm transformation. Platelet linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid levels were significantly inversely associated with aggregation but the difference between the relationship at diagnosis and after three months was not statistically significant. The association between platelet omega 3 fatty acids and platelet aggregation suggest that dietary change aimed at increasing the proportions of these fatty acids might favourably influence vascular disease in NIDDM via an effect on platelet function.