Primary platelet activation in recent-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus

Platelet function (as production of thromboxane B2 by platelets stimulated with collagen, and plasma β-thromboglobulin) and thrombin activity (as plasma fibrinopeptide A) were investigated in eight young (mean age 27 ±3 SE years) male patients in which type 1 diabetes mellitus had been diagnosed 2 to 6 months previously. They were all in excellent stable metabolic control (mean HbAlc 5.6±0.4 SE %) and free from any complications. The haemostatic variables were assessed at rest and after cycloergometric exercise to exhaustion. When compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls, patients showed higher β-thromboglobulin, fibrinopeptide A and thromboxane B2 at rest. After exercise, plasma β-TG increased only in the controls. Platelet and thrombin activation are present in the very early stages of type 1 diabetes mellitus, in the absence of any complications.