Is the imbalance between thrombin and plasmin activity in diabetes related to the behaviour of antiplasmin activity?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the balance between thrombin and plasmin activity in a group of 79 diabetic patients (IDDM and NIDDM). For this purpose we determined fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and B beta 15-42, specific products of thrombin and plasmin activity. Moreover we investigated the behaviour of antithrombin III and alpha 2 antiplasmin, important inhibitors of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Results show an increase both in FPA and B beta 15-42 in IDDM and NIDDM patients when compared to healthy controls. However the ratio between B beta 15-42 and FPA was lower than in controls indicating an imbalance between thrombin and plasmin activity. Antithrombin III levels were not different from the controls and no correlation was found with Hb A1c. alpha 2 antiplasmin was found to be higher in IDDM when compared both with NIDDM and controls. A non linear correlation was found between Hb A1c and alpha 2 AP in both diabetic groups. We conclude that the imbalance between thrombin and plasmin activity may have a role in determining fibrin deposition. These subclinical abnormalities, unrelated to vascular complications and duration of the disease, may progressively contribute to the development of the vascular complications in diabetes.