[Platelet hyperactivity in diabetic retinopathy: etiologic factor or epiphenomenon of microangiopathy?]

In order to analyze the etiologic and pathogenic meaning of platelet activity in diabetic retinopathy, Plasmatic Beta-Thromboglobulin (BTG) has been determined in 42 diabetics without retinopathy, 14 diabetics with non proliferative retinopathy and in 29 health controls. BTG showed higher values in diabetic patients with retinopathy in comparison with diabetics with no retinopathy (46.4 +/- 10.7 versus 37.6 +/- 13.4 ng/ml; p < 0.05 and with controls (31 +/- 18.8; p < 0.005). There were no differences between diabetics with no retinopathy and controls. No relation was found between BTG and the glycemic control grade, neither with lipoproteic profile. In resume, platelet hyperactivity found in patients with retinopathy seems to be an epiphenomenon of the microangiopathic lesion and not an etiologic factor, however this not precludes that it can play a role in the progression on retinal lesions.