Plasma beta-thromboglobulin in diabetes mellitus

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Hematology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus is associated with microangiopathic complications.
• Platelet activation and abnormal behavior are implicated in diabetic complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure plasma beta-thromboglobulin levels in normal subjects and diabetic patients with and without microangiopathic complications.
• To compare different radioimmunoassay techniques and anticoagulant mixtures for beta-thromboglobulin measurement.

Main Methods:

• Radioimmunoassay (Edinburgh technique) was used to measure plasma beta-thromboglobulin in 61 normal subjects, 67 diabetics with microangiopathy, and 54 diabetics without.
• Further studies involved two radioimmunoassay techniques and two anticoagulant mixtures (with and without prostaglandin E1) in a subset of subjects.

Main Results:

• Plasma beta-thromboglobulin was significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to normal subjects (p < 0.01).
• No significant difference in beta-thromboglobulin was found between diabetic groups with and without microangiopathic complications.
• Assay methodology significantly influenced beta-thromboglobulin values; Edinburgh assay yielded higher results than Amersham, and Edinburgh anticoagulant yielded lower results.

Conclusions:

• Diabetic patients exhibit elevated plasma beta-thromboglobulin, confirming abnormal platelet activity.
• The specific contribution of these platelet abnormalities to the pathogenesis of microangiopathic complications in diabetes requires further investigation.