Megakaryocytes and Platelets in Diabetes Mellitus

SummaryIn patients with diabetes mellitus vascular diseases and related complications still represent the main cause of death. Neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy and disturbed nutritive tissue perfusion result from reduced capillary microcirculation. Macroangiopathic mechanisms lead to accelerated cerebral, coronary and peripheral artery disease precipitating life terminating thrombotic events superimposed to those vascular lesions. Thus morbidity and mortality depend mainly on vascular complications. The functional thromboresistance is reduced in the diabetic state with hyperactive platelets operating by thre…