Low Levels of Intraplatelet cGMP in IDDM

To determine the levels of intraplatelet cGMP, an index of activity of the antiaggregatory nitric oxide pathway, in IDDM patients.

We measured intraplatelet and plasmatic cGMP levels in 22 IDDM patients and 22 age- and sex-matched control subjects.

Intraplatelet cGMP levels decreased in the IDDM patients (0.32 ±; 0.16 pmol/109 platelets) when compared with the control group (0.52 ±; 0.32 pmol/109 platelets), P = 0.032. Plasmatic cGMP levels were not significantly different between groups. Intraplatelet cGMP levels correlated negatively with the duration of the disease (r = −0.43, P < 0.05).

IDDM patients have lower levels of intraplatelet cGMP, which may be responsible in part for their platelet hyperactivity.