1993 Volume 39 Issue 2 Pages 235-240
Platelet factor 4 (PF4) on the surface of endothelial cells binds to intravenously administered heparin and is released into the bloodstream as heparin-released PF4 (HR-PF4). However, the clinical significance of HR-PF4 is uncertain. In this study, the relationship between the diabetic state, particularly microangiopathy, and HR-PF4 was investigated. Sixty U/kg of heparin was injected into 124 male non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients and 9 healthy male volunteers. Blood samples were taken before and 15 minutes after heparin injection. The blood samples were mixed with EDTA and theophyllin. The samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm at 4°C. The supernatant liquid was stored at -20°C until PF4 measurements were performed. The HR-PF4 levels did not differ significantly between the diabetic group and the control group. HR-PF4 levels were correlated with age and disease duration (r=0.265, p<0.05 and r=0.243, p<0.005, respectively). Diabetic patients with microangiopathy had significantly higher HR-PF4 levels than patients without microangiopathy (p<0.05) (patients' age and disease duration were matched.). These results suggest that HR-PF4 reflects the progress of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, i. e. microangiopathy in vivo.
