In 33
insulin-dependent, I and II type diabetic patients the authors evaluated the intraplatelet concentration of 12-hydroperoxyeicozatetraenoic
acid (12-HPETE) and malonylodialdehyde (MDA) which are the products of
lipoxygenase (LO) and
cyclooxygenase (CO) metabolism of
arachidonic acid (AA) in blood platelets. Moreover, in all patients, determinations of
cholesterol total
lipids,
phospholipids,
triacylglycerols were performed as well as serum lipoproteinogram. The studies were done in
diabetic ketoacidosis and 2 weeks after compensation of diabetes was attained. Sixty healthy persons, with no changes in the coagulation system, constituted the control group. In patients with
diabetic ketoacidosis a higher intraplatelet concentration of
12-HPETE (7.2 +/- 4.0 nmol/10(9) platelets) was found as compared with the values observed in the control group (4.7 +/- 2.1 nmol MDA/10(9) platelets); p less than 0.01. Intraplatelet MDA concentration did not, however, show a statistically significant difference. When compensation of diabetes was obtained the mean intraplatelet
12-HPETE concentration fell to values close the normal ones (5.5 +/- 3.4 nmol MDA/10(9) platelets). Nevertheless, the results of comparative determinations of mean values of both
12-HPETE and MDA concentrations in
ketoacidosis as well as in compensated diabetes did not show statistically significant difference. High intraplatelet
12-HPETE concentration in
diabetic ketoacidosis may be a cause of the formation or intensification of atherosclerotic changes, typical of this group of patients. The studies did not prove any correlation between the intraplatelet concentration of AA metabolism products and
blood glucose concentration and lipid metabolism products. Neither was there any correlation between
12-HPETE and MDA concentration and the duration of clinically symptomatic diabetes.