Increased platelet arachidonic acid metabolism in diabetes mellitus

Platelets obtained from some diabetic patients show enhanced in vitro platelet aggregation. This study sought to determine if platelet obtained from insulin-dependent diabetic subjects synthesize increased quantities of the labile aggregating substance, thromboxane A2 (TXA2), and if it may play a role in the enhanced platelet aggregation. Arachidonic acid (1 mM)-stimulated TXA2 synthesis, as determined via radioimmunoassay of its stable metabolite TXB2, was significantly greater (P less than 0.01, N = 12) in platelet-rich plasma obtained from diabetics compared with matched controls. Arachidonic acid-stimulated TXB2 synthesis in the diabetic platelet-rich plasma was positively correlated with the ambient fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.61, P less than 0.02, N = 15). Platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (0.4-0.8 mM) was inhibited significantly less by 13-azaprostanoic acid (P less than 0.04, N = 14), a competitive antagonist of the actions of prostaglandin H2 or TXA2 on platelets, compared with matched controls. The results support the notion that platelets obtained from some insulin-dependent diabetic subjects manifest increased synthesis of TXA2, which may contribute to the enhanced platelet aggregation.