HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE FORMATION IN PLATELETS OF PATIENTS WITH NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

A group of 29 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (N IDDM) was compared with a group of 19 patients who had good glycemic c ontrol for platelet activity and hydrogen peroxide formation. NIDDM pa tients showed platelet hyperactivity in response to low ADP concentrat ions. In addition, stimulated platelets from untreated NIDDM patients produced more hydrogen peroxide than platelets of treated and normal s ubjects. Hydrogen peroxide accumulation was not related to modificatio n of the enzymatic systems involved in its synthesis and break-down, T he specific activities of NAD(P)H cytochrome C reductase, catalase, gl utathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were not different betw een patients and healthy subjects. It is likely that the platelet intr acellular elevation of reactive oxygen free-radicals could play an imp ortant role in the vascular complications and thrombotic risk that is often present in NIDDM patients.