A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF PERIPHERAL OCCLUSIVE ARTERIAL-DISEASE IN DIABETES .4. PLATELET AND PLASMA FUNCTIONS

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 56  (4) , 243-253
Abstract
Platelet factor 4-like activity, circulating platelet-aggregate ratios, ristocetin cofactor, Willebrand antigen, ADP-induced platelet aggregation-enhancing factor, and quantitative platelet aggregation response to ADP, epinephrine and collagen in platelet-rich plasma were measured in four groups of subjects with similar age and sex distribution. Neither platelet factor 4-like activity nor circulating platelet-aggregate ratios differentiated these 4 groups. Platelet aggregation studies with ADP at a subthreshold concentration support the concept of hypersensitivity of diabetic platelets in males. Male and female subjects differ significantly in their quantitative response to aggregating agents when such studies are done under similar conditions. Willebrand factor activity and Willebrand antigen normally increase with age. Elevation in these activities above that accounted for by age characterizes the presence of vascular disease, but not diabetes mellitus in the absence of vascular disease. A plasma factor enhancing platelet aggregation could not be demonstrated in most diabetic patients in this study.