Platelet and Plasma Vasoactive Amines in Type 1 (Insulin-Dependent) Diabetes Mellitus with and without Vascular Disease

Abstract

Platelet and plasma vasoactive amine concentrations were measured in healthy controls and in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients with or without vascular disease. Platelet concentrations of serotonin and noradrenaline were similar in all groups and were unrelated to age or gender, or to duration of diabetes, blood pressure, glycaemia or renal function in the diabetic subjects. Plasma concentrations of serotonin in the diabetic groups were comparable (118 ± 16 (mean ± SEM) and 127 ± 21 pmol/mL), and were significantly higher in comparison to the healthy controls (66 ± 12 pmol/mL, P = 0·002).