Platelet function in diabetes mellitus in relationship to complications, glycosylated haemoglobin and serum lipoproteins.

Mean levels of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 were highly significantly elevated in diabetes compared to controls (72.6 v. 36.3 ng/ml, P less than 0.0005; 48.5 v. 16.5 ng/ml, P less than 0.0005; respectively) as was malondialdehyde formation (12.4 v. 8.1 nmol/10(9) platelets, P less than 0.0005). Diabetes with retinopathy had significantly higher levels of beta-thromboglobulin than those without retinopathy (79 v. 70 ng/ml; P less than 0.042). However, those diabetics without clinical evidence of vascular disease had levels of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 significantly higher than controls. beta-Thromboglobulin did not correlate with glycosylated haemoglobin but did correlate significantly with individual lipid and lipoprotein levels (beta-thromboglobulin v. total triglyceride, P less than 0.029; v. VLDL triglyceride, P less than 0.041; v. LDL cholesterol, P less than 0.042; v. HDL/total cholesterol ratio, P less than 0.02). Abnormal platelet function may contribute to the vascular complications of diabetes mellitus.