Elevated beta-thromboglobulin levels and circulating platelet aggregates in diabetic microangiopathy.

beta-Thromboglobulin levels and platelet-aggregate ratios were determined in blood-samples from healthy control subjects and from diabetic patients with and without microangiopathic complications. Patients with diabetic microangiopathy had significantly elevated beta-thromboglobulin levels and also reversible platelet aggregates. In nine newly treated diabetics blood-glucose control was associated with a significant fall in plasma beta-thromboglobulin. Since beta-thromboglobulin is a platelet-specific protein the results indicate that diabetic microangiopathy is associated with evidence of platelet activation and that this may be influenced by the degree of biochemical control.