[Determination of the level of plasma beta-thromboglobulin in diabetes]

Plasma beta-TG was measured radioimmunoassay on 23 controls and 84 diabetics. The diabetic patients were divided in three groups: I. Patients without complications, insulin-dependants or not. II. Patients with retinopathy, without severe complications. III. Patients with retinopathy and distal arteritis. beta-TG level in control group is 23,4 +/- 7,6 ng/ml and is comparable with literature. An important increase of beta-TG average level was observed for the three diabetic groups. The almost equal increase between groups I and II could be explained by a comparable hyperagregability, as previously described in diabetes. There could be an increase of hyperagregability with arteritis appearance, and a increase of beta-TG release. Correlation between these two parameters remains to be demonstrated.