Platelet proteins (beta-TG and PF4) in atherosclerosis and related diseases

The mean plasma concentrations of beta-TG and PF4 were significantly elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease reflecting enhanced in vivo platelet activity in some of these patients. No correlations could be observed between state of metabolic control and concentrations of platelet specific proteins in diabetic subjects. High mean beta-TG levels were noticed in diabetic patients with increasing severity of retinopathy. Raised beta-TG values decreased significantly after two weeks of treatment with dipyridamole in 10 type-I diabetics. In patients with peripheral vascular disease the WU-test, but not the ADP- or collagen induced platelet aggregation was significantly different between patients and controls, but there were no correlations between the mentioned platelet function tests.