PLATELET HYPERACTIVITY IN DIABETIC-RETINO PATHY - ETIOLOGIC FACTOR OREPIPHENOMENON OF MICROANGIOPATHY

In order to analyze the etiologic and pathogenic meaning of platelet a ctivity in diabetic retinopathy, Plasmatic Beta-Thromboglobulin (BTG) has been determined in 42 diabetics without retinopathy, 14 diabetics with non proliferative retinopathy and in 29 health controls. BTG show ed higher values in diabetic patients with retinopathy in comparison w ith diabetics with no retinopathy (46.4+/-10.7 versus 37.6+/-13.4 ng/m l; p<0.05 and with controls (31+/-18.8; p<0.005). There were no differ ences between diabetics with no retinopathy and controls. No relation was found between BTG and the glycemic control grade, neither with lip oproteic profile. In resume, platelet hyperactivity found in patients with retinopathy seems to be an epiphenomenon of the microangiopathic lesion and not an etiologic factor, however this not precludes that it can play a role in the progression on retinal lesions.