Elevation of monocyte-platelet aggregates is an early marker of type 2 diabetes

• Published in: Interventional medicine and applied science Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 181 - 185
• Main Authors: Patkó, Zsófia, Császár, Albert, Acsády, György, Ory, Iván, Takács, Eva, Fűrész, József
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hungary Akadémiai Kiadó 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Hematology, Cancer and Oncology, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nephrology and Urology, Pediatrics, Surgery, Medical Research, Clinical Medicine and Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems; Original Paper; monocytes; adhesive receptor Mac-1; cell aggregation; diabetes mellitus; inflammation; platelets
• ISSN: 2061-1617; 2061-5094
• DOI: 10.1556/IMAS.4.2012.4.2

Diabetes has been shown to be an accelerating factor in the progression of atherosclerosis. The metabolic changes in diabetes contribute to modified platelet function and enhanced leukocyte-platelet aggregate formation. The attachment of activated platelets leads to the activation of leukocytes causing enhanced cytokine production and upregulation of surface adhesion molecules. Therefore, platelet-leukocyte aggregates may be of great importance in the development of cardiovascular complications. Monocyte-platelet aggregates and monocyte Mac-1 expression were measured by flow cytometry to obtain differences between type 2 diabetic and healthy subjects. Inflammatory mediators were evaluated to assess the presence of inflammation. We found no signs of inflammation in type 2 diabetes; however, we observed enhanced aggregation level of monocytes and platelets. The expression of Mac-1 did not differ between diabetic and control subjects, but it was significantly higher on monocytes bearing platelets in both groups. Elevation of monocyte-platelet aggregates is an early marker of diabetes, which precedes the signs of inflammation. Enhanced Mac-1 expression can be observed on monocytes bearing platelets, independent from the presence of diabetes.