Effect of aspirin on platelet aggregation in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The effect of aspirin n vitro and in vivo on platelet aggregation has been studied in 13 diabetic subjects without retinopathy, 16 diabetic subjects with retinopathy and 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The rate, degree and duration of collagen-induced aggregation were greater in the diabetic patients (p less than 0.05; p less than 0.01; p less than 0.05). The residual aggregation in vivo was greater in all diabetic patients with aspirin, whilst it only occurred in vitro in patients without retinopathy. A decreased latent period was seen in diabetic patients, to a greater extent in those with retinopathy. Significant differences in the rate, degree and duration of arachidonic acid-induced-aggregation were also seen in patients with retinopathy treated with aspirin (p less than 0.05; p less than 0.01; p less than 0.05). Disaggregation only occurred with aspirin in vitro and was more frequently seen in normal subjects.

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs prevent early diabetic retinopathy via TNF‐α suppression

“…We previously reported that leukocyte adhesion in the diabetic retina correlates with the amount of blood-retinal barrier breakdown, and we found similar results in the present study, in which all three agents significantly reduced the adhesiveness of leukocytes to the diabetic vasculature and potently inhibited blood-retinal barrier breakdown. This finding is in contrast to the disappointing results of clinical studies, in which aspirin was used at a lower dose of 4 mg/kg daily (33,34,44). Our finding in the current study is likely mediated by a reduction in the amount of leukocyte-induced endothelial cell death, a process that is a pivotal contributor to the development of blood-retinal barrier breakdown (11).…”

“…To date, the mechanism of action in production of this anti-inflammatory effect is unclear, but it appears to be COX-and prostaglandin-independent (32). Originally, aspirin was found to inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro and to retard the development of microaneurysms in patients with diabetic retinopathy (33). However the results of the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) and the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study did not identify any beneficial effects in diabetic retinopathy when low and intermediate amounts of aspirin were used (29,34).…”

Is Aspirin Usage Associated With Diabetic Retinopathy?

“…In people with diabetes mellitus, platelet aggregation is altered compared with that of nondiabetic individuals (3). Some investigators believe that this may be associated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy (4), but this view is not universally accepted (5).…”