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Increased granulocyte aggregation in vitro in diabetes mellitus
T A Elhadd1, A Bancroft, M McLaren
1University Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
Summary
White blood cell (WBC) aggregation is significantly higher in patients with diabetes mellitus compared to healthy individuals. This increased WBC aggregation may indicate a higher risk for cardiovascular events, even before clinical symptoms appear.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Diabetes Mellitus Research
- Hematology
Background:
- Previous studies indicated increased white blood cell (WBC) aggregation in populations with high cardiovascular event incidence.
- Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare WBC aggregation in diabetic patients without macrovascular disease to healthy controls.
- To investigate if elevated WBC aggregation is an early indicator of macrovascular complications in diabetes.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 28 patients with diabetes mellitus and 28 age/sex-matched healthy controls were recruited.
- Whole blood samples were analyzed for in vitro WBC aggregation using a standardized technique.
- Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test.
Main Results:
- WBC aggregation was significantly higher in the diabetic group (31.10 +/- 10.26%) compared to the normal control group (25.7 +/- 9.38%; p < 0.04).
- The findings suggest that elevated WBC aggregation is present in diabetic patients before the onset of clinical macrovascular disease.
Conclusions:
- Increased WBC aggregation is an early marker in diabetes mellitus.
- Elevated WBC aggregation may precede the clinical manifestation of macrovascular complications in diabetic patients.