Effect of ticlopidine on platelet function and blood rheology in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Twenty out-patients with steady-state diabetes mellitus were given placebo for 12 weeks followed by Ticlopidine for 12 weeks while studied serially for changes in platelet function and blood rheology. Ticlopidine rendered diabetic platelets refractory to adenosine diphosphate and caused a significant fall in plasma β-thromboglobulin. Significant improvements were also seen in viscosity (plasma and whole blood) and erythrocyte deformability (measured by filtration) but these changes were probably secondary to small reductions in plasma protein level and leucocyte count respectively during treatment. Patients with chronic vascular disease show a haematological stress syndrome response which includes hyperproteinaemia and a leucocytosis; drug-induced modification of the stress response is an important factor influencing rheological studies.