Detection of anti-phospholipid (cardiolipin, phosphatidylserine) antibodies in the serum of patients with non insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus and macroangiopathy. Coexistence of anti-platelet reactivity.

IgA and IgG antibodies against cardiolipin and/or phosphatidylserine were detected in the sera of patients with non insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus. The highest prevalence was observed in particular in patients with macrovascular complications (86%). A significant increase of platelet bound IgA and IgG was observed also in patients with sera positive for anti-phospholipid antibodies suggesting the coexistence of reactivity against phospholipid and platelets. Several reports have focused on a new clinical entity characterized by the presence of anti-phospholipid and by a tendency to venous and arterial thrombosis. In addition to their acute thrombogenic effects, we suggest that anti-phospholipid antibodies may play a role in the impairment of the thromboresistant property of vascular endothelium and in the enhancement of platelet aggregation leading to the pathogenesis and/or progression of the macrovascular diabetic complications.