Related Experiment Videos
Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor and platelet adhesiveness in diabetic retinopathy
H Nozaki1, K Hiramatsu, S Arimori
1Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Japan.
Insights
Elevated levels of Factor VIII (F VIII:C) and von Willebrand factor (vWF:Ag) were observed in diabetic patients, particularly those with retinopathy. These findings suggest a role for F VIII/vWF in diabetic retinopathy development.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Vascular Biology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss.
- The role of hemostatic factors in diabetic retinopathy pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma levels of Factor VIII (F VIII:C), von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), R Cof, and platelet adhesiveness in non-diabetic controls, diabetics without retinopathy, and diabetics with retinopathy.
Main Methods:
- Plasma levels of F VIII:C, vWF:Ag, R Cof, and platelet adhesiveness were measured.
- Participants included 13 non-diabetic controls, 40 diabetics without retinopathy, and 19 diabetics with retinopathy.
Main Results:
- F VIII:C was elevated in both diabetic groups compared to controls.
- vWF:Ag was significantly higher in both diabetic groups than in controls and further elevated in those with retinopathy.
- R Cof was higher in diabetics with retinopathy compared to controls and diabetics without retinopathy. Platelet adhesiveness showed no significant differences between groups.
Conclusions:
- Elevated F VIII:C and vWF:Ag suggest their potential involvement in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.
- These hemostatic factors may represent therapeutic targets for managing diabetic eye disease.
Abstract:
Thirteen non-diabetic controls, 40 diabetics without retinopathy and 19 diabetics with retinopathy, approximately matched for age and sex, were studied for plasma levels of F VIII:C, vWF:Ag and R Cof, and platelet adhesiveness. F VIII:C was elevated in both diabetic groups compared with normal controls, but no differences were found between the diabetic groups. vWF:Ag was significantly higher in both diabetic groups than in normal controls, and it was also elevated in diabetics with retinopathy compared with those without. R Cof was higher in diabetics with retinopathy than in normal controls or in diabetics without retinopathy, but there were no differences between normal controls and diabetics without retinopathy. We could not find any differences in platelet adhesiveness between the groups. The results in the present study suggested that F VIII/vWF might play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.