title: Elevation of monocyte-platelet aggregates is an early marker of type 2 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes has been shown to be an accelerating factor in the progression of atherosclerosis. The metabolic changes in diabetes contribute to modified platelet function and enhanced leukocyte-platelet aggregate formation. The attachment of activated platelets leads to the activation of leukocytes causing enhanced cytokine production and upregulation of surface adhesion molecules. Therefore, platelet-leukocyte aggregates may be of great importance in the development of cardiovascular complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Monocyte-platelet aggregates and monocyte Mac-1 expression were measured by flow cytometry to obtain differences between type 2 diabetic and healthy subjects. Inflammatory mediators were evaluated to assess the presence of inflammation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no signs of inflammation in type 2 diabetes; however, we observed enhanced aggregation level of monocytes and platelets. The expression of Mac-1 did not differ between diabetic and control subjects, but it was significantly higher on monocytes bearing platelets in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevation of monocyte-platelet aggregates is an early marker of diabetes, which precedes the signs of inflammation. Enhanced Mac-1 expression can be observed on monocytes bearing platelets, independent from the presence of diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Hungarian Military Hospital Budapest Hungary.
authors.forename: Zsófia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Patkó
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Császár
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Acsády
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ory
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Takács
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fűrész
keywords: adhesive receptor Mac-1; cell aggregation; diabetes mellitus; inflammation; monocytes; platelets