Comparison of platelet thromboxane synthesis in diabetic patients on conventional insulin therapy and continuous insulin infusions

Previous work has shown enhanced aggregation and thromboxane synthesis by platelets from diabetic subjects. We have compared thromboxane synthesis by platelets from normal subjects with that of platelets from two groups of insulin-dependent diabetic patients: one group receiving conventional depot insulin therapy and the other continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions. Thromboxane synthesis was significantly higher with platelets from the conventionally-treated diabetic patients than that observed for control subjects. Patients on continuous insulin infusions were similar to control subjects. This group of patients also had better control of glycemia. The effect on thromboxane production might be related to normalization of plasma lipids which occurs with continuous infusion insulin therapy.