Summary
Patients with diabetes display increased platelet activation. Recent data show a markedly
increased risk for cardiovascular events already in pre-diabetic individuals with
impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We investigated whether IGT is associated with platelet
activation. Blood samples were collected from young lean (control) and obese Zucker
rats, an established model of IGT, after single oral application of sucrose (4g·kg-1).
Platelet-bound fibrinogen and platelet surface-expression of P-selectin were assessed
as indices of platelet activation using flow cytometry. In lean Zucker rats, acute
sucrose application induced fibrinogen-binding and P-selectin surface-expression,
which was prevented by co-administration of acarbose (10mg·kg-1). In obese Zucker
rats, platelet activation was already maximally increased under baseline conditions
with no significant increase after sucrose application. Chronic treatment with acarbose
(15mg·kg-1·day-1) significantly reduced platelet activation in these animals. Acute
ingestion of sucrose induces platelet activation which is prevented by acarbose. IGT
is associated with marked platelet activation that can be reduced by chronic administration
of acarbose.The positive modulation of platelet activation by acarbose may contribute
to the reduction of cardiovascular events in patients with IGT.
Keywords
Platelet activation markers - diabetes / metabolic disorders - animal models