Markers of platelet activation are increased in adolescents with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE In adults with diabetes, in vivo platelet activation is a marker for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This pilot study investigated whether adolescents with diabetes had evidence of increased in vivo platelet activation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In vivo platelet activation was compared in four groups of age-matched adolescents: type 1 diabetes (T1D, n = 15), type 2 diabetes (T2D; n = 15), control subjects with normal BMI (n = 14), and overweight/obese control subjects (n = 13). Platelet surface activation markers and plasma levels of soluble activation markers were measured and compared among groups. RESULTS Increased expression of all activation markers was observed in T2D compared with either control group (P < 0.05); levels of soluble markers were also higher in T2D than in T1D (P < 0.05). There were no differences in marker expression between the nondiabetic control groups. CONCLUSIONS Platelet activation in adolescents with T2D may be a marker for the risk of CVD development in early adulthood.