Increased Platelet Reactivity and Proinflammatory Profile Are Associated with Intima–Media Thickness and Arterial Stiffness in Prediabetes
Maurizio Di Marco, Francesca Urbano, Agnese Filippello, Stefania Di Mauro, Alessandra Scamporrino, Nicoletta Miano, Giuseppe Coppolino, Giuseppe L’Episcopo, Stefano Leggio, Roberto Scicali, Salvatore Piro, Francesco Purrello, Antonino Di Pino
Abstract
Alterations of glucose homeostasis are associated with subclinical vascular damage; however, the role of platelet reactivity in this process has not been fully investigated. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the correlation between markers of platelet reactivity and inflammation and markers of vascular disease in subjects with prediabetes. Markers of platelet reactivity such as 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 urinary levels (11-dh-TXB2) and mean platelet volume (MPV) and inflammatory indexes such as platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were evaluated in subjects with prediabetes (n = 48), new-onset type 2 diabetes (NODM, n = 60) and controls (n = 62). Furthermore, we assessed the cardiovascular risk profile of the study population with arterial stiffness and quality intima–media thickness (qIMT). Subjects with prediabetes and NODM exhibited higher 11-dh-TXB2 urinary levels and MPV and a proinflammatory profile with an increased PLR, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, ferritin and fibrinogen. Furthermore, after multiple regression analyses, we found that urinary 11-dh-TXB2 was one of the major determinants of IMT and arterial stiffness parameters. In conclusion, subjects with prediabetes exhibit increased platelet reactivity as well as a proinflammatory profile. Furthermore, this condition is associated with early markers of cardiovascular disease.