Platelet sensitivity in vitro to the prostacyclin analogue iloprost in diabetic patients.

Iloprost is a chemically stable analogue of prostacyclin, with similar vasodilator and anti-platelet actions. Platelet sensitivity to the inhibitory action of Iloprost has been tested in vitro. Platelet-rich plasma from six healthy subjects and from six patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus was incubated with different concentrations of Iloprost, and then stimulated with ADP (at threshold aggregating concentration) and collagen 4 micrograms/ml. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Iloprost was calculated and no differences were found between patients and controls. The results of this study suggest that diabetic patients without complications do not differ from healthy subjects in their platelet sensitivity to Iloprost.