title: Tissue factor levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a pandemic associated with disturbance in haemostasis that could contribute to the development of diabetic vascular disease and accelerated atherosclerosis. In this population, hypercoagulation is prevalent, as well as pathological changes to erythrocytes. This is mainly due to upregulated circulating inflammatory markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we looked at tissue factor (TF) levels using ELISA, in a sample of diabetics, with and without cardiovascular complications. Diabetic subjects were recruited from the diabetic clinic at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. 20 diabetics with cardiovascular disease and 22 without were enrolled to participate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TF levels were significantly elevated in both diabetic groups when compared to the controls. We suggest that pathologic plasma TF activity, as marker of increased propensity of clot pathology, should be investigated. Agents that might lower TF levels might also possibly lower thrombotic complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Prashilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soma
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Albe C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Swanepoel
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Janette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bester
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1 MATIELAND, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa. resiap@sun.ac.za.
authors.forename: Etheresia
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9108-2384
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pretorius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D013925:Thromboplastin