Recent Advances in the Understanding of the Pathogenesis of Complications in Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity

Abstract

In diabetes we have demonstrated an abnormal equilibrium between the endothelial F VIIIR: Ag and plasminogen activator. An increased level of F VIIIR: Ag will induce increased platelet adhesiveness, and a decreased plasminogen activator activity of the vascular walls and blood will lead to impaired degradation of thrombi occluding the microvasculature. These findings are common in all diabetics, although they are most marked in obese diabetics. In non-diabetics there is also a significant relation between relative weight and vascular fibrinolytic activity.