Studies on the platelet alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes in diabetes mellitus.
Studies on the platelet alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes were carried out in 19 subjects with treated diabetes mellitus and 15 normal age and sex-matched controls. By utilising selective antagonists, it was noted that all the normal human platelets exhibited the alpha-2 adrenoceptor. 7 diabetics (37%) expressed both the alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors and diabetic complications along with hypertension were most common in this group. Another 7 diabetics (37%) expressed the alpha-2 receptor only and diabetic complications were minimum in this group. Interestingly, 5 diabetics (26%) did not express either the alpha-1 or alpha-2 receptor and these patients occupied an intermediate position with regard to diabetic complications. Thus, it was concluded that platelet alpha-1 adrenoceptors perhaps indicated a poor prognosis in diabetes mellitus, opening up future scope for work in this area.
Das
T
T
Dept of Medicine, Medical College, Calcutta.
Chaudhury
U
U
Lahiri
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2