Lipid and protein oxidation contribute to a prothrombotic state in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with enhanced lipid oxidation and persistent platelet activation. We investigated whether oxidant stress (OS) also affects circulating proteins and is associated with an abnormal coagulative pattern. In 72 type 2DM (T2DM) patients, urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin (PG) F 2α and 11-dehydro-thromboxane B 2 (TXM) were measured as markers of lipid peroxidation and platelet activation, respectively. The carbonyl content of plasma proteins (PCARB) was measured as global index of protein oxidation. 8-Iso-PGF 2α and PCARB levels were higher in DM patients than in controls (P<0.05). Likewise, both TXM and prothrombin F 1+2 levels were higher in diabetics (P<0.05). By contrast, anticoagulant markers, such as activated protein C, protein C activation peptide, and soluble thrombomodulin (TM) were depressed in T2DM (P<0.05). In conclusion, OS in T2DM involves circulating proteins and is associated with an unbalanced promotion of procoagulant reactions. These effects in concert with platelet activation may contribute to atherothrombotic complications in T2DM. © 2003 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.