Significance of chemokines and activated platelets in patients with diabetes

Levels of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), platelet activation marke rs (P-selectin expressed on, or annexin V binding to, platelets (plt:P-sele ctin or plt:annexin V, respectively)), chemokines (IL-8, monocyte chemotact ic peptide-1 (MCP-1), and regulated on activation normally T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)), and soluble P- and E-selectins were compared in pe ripheral blood from diabetic and control patients in order to develop a bet ter understanding of their potential contribution to diabetic vascular comp lications. Significant increases were found for PMPs, plt:P-selectin, MCP-1 , RANTES and soluble P- and E-selectins in diabetic individuals, whereas IL -8 levels were similar. Furthermore, after ticlopidine treatment, most of t hese factors receded to baseline levels observed in non-diabetic patients. Our findings indicate that ticlopidine might be able to prevent or reduce v ascular complications in diabetic patients.