Enhanced in vivo platelet activation in diabetes mellitus

Plasma levels of platelet factor 4 (PF4) determined in 58 apparently healthy subjects were found to increase with age. In 66 insulin dependent diabetics, PF4 plasma levels were increased but unrelated to the age of subject. Mean fibrinopeptide A levels were elevated in the diabetics but not correlated to PF4 levels. Activation of the coagulation system with thrombin generation thus seems to be operative in diabetes, but the enhanced platelet activation also observed in this disease is probably not thrombin mediated. No correlation was found between PF4 plasma concentration and the degree of vascular complication, HbA1C, blood glucose, 24-h urinary glucose, serum cholesterol or serum triglycerides.