Effect of beraprost sodium, a stable prostaglandin I2 analogue, on platelet aggregation in diabetes mellitus.

Test results concerning platelet behavior in vitro, particularly aggregation, are frequently abnormal in diabetic patients. The concept has therefore arisen that platelet hyper-reactivity is one factor contributing to diabetic microangiopathy. We report here the antiplatelet effect of beraprost sodium, a chemically stable prostaglandin I2 analogue made in Japan, in 6 diabetic patients. Platelet aggregation induced by adenosine 5'-diphosphate (10 microM) after administration of beraprost sodium (40 micrograms every 8 h for 14 days) was significantly decreased as compared with levels before beraprost sodium administration. These results indicate the possibility that the occurrence of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus can be suppressed by long-term administration of beraprost sodium.