Antithrombin III activity and concentration in diabetes mellitus

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Hematology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus is associated with a hypercoagulable state.
• Previous reports suggest altered antithrombin III (AT III) levels in diabetes, with conflicting findings regarding activity versus antigen levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate antithrombin III (AT III) activity and antigen levels in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
• To determine if AT III levels correlate with glycemic control (blood glucose and HbA1).
• To assess the discrepancy between AT III activity and antigen levels in diabetic patients.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated antithrombin III (AT III) activity and antigen levels in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.
• Compared levels between uncontrolled and well-controlled diabetic groups.
• Analyzed correlations between AT III levels, blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1).

Main Results:

• Antithrombin III (AT III) activity and antigen levels were similar to normal ranges in all diabetic groups.
• No significant differences were observed between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, or between controlled and uncontrolled patients.
• AT III levels did not correlate with blood glucose or HbA1 levels.
• No discrepancy between AT III activity and antigen levels was found.

Conclusions:

• The hypercoagulable state in diabetes mellitus does not appear to be caused by modifications in antithrombin III (AT III).
• A discrepancy between AT III activity and antigen levels was not confirmed in this study.
• The hypothesis of dysantithrombinaemia due to protein glycosylation inactivation in diabetes was not supported.