Salvatore Amato

Thrombin-antithrombin III complexes in type II diabetes mellitus

Several studies suggest that diabetes is associated with a hypercoagulable state. Therefore determination of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) could represent a sensitive parameter for specific detection of a latent activation of the clotting system. The present study documents increased plasma TAT in a heterogeneous group of non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. The finding of increased TAT levels both in diabetic patients with vascular complications and in vascular disease patients without diabetes suggests a relationship between existing vascular disease and the hemostatic mechanism that produces augmented thrombin activity. In acute vascular occlusions the presence of diabetes seems to increase activation of the coagulative system.

Apolipoprotein profile in type II diabetic patients with and without coronary heart disease

SummaryDiabetes mellitus is frequently associated with lipid metabolism abnormalities. In the present study the lipid and apolipoprotein profiles have been compared in type II diabetic subjects with (n=30) and without (n=30) coronary heart disease (CHD). All subjects were studied after good metabolic control had been achieved. Significant differences in plasrna lipids and apolipoproteins were seen in diabetic patients with CHD in comparison with diabetics without CHD. Patients with CHD presented higher total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, apo B, apo CII and apo CIII levels and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratios and lower HDL-cholesterol values and apo AI/o B ratio than the patients without CHD. The same findings were found in females; while male subjects with CHD had significantly increased total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apo B levels and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and LDL/cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratios and significantly decreased apo AI/o B ratio compared with males without CHD. These findings support the concept that the apolipoprotein profile plays a remarkable role as risk factor for CHD in type II diabetes mellitus.