Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on platelet activation markers and cell adhesion molecules in hyperlipidemic patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

We compared the levels of microparticles, platelet activation markers, soluble cell adhesion molecules, soluble selectins, and antioxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-Ox LDL) antibody between patients with hyperlipidemia and control subjects. Binding of anti-glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa and anti-GPIb monoclonal antibodies to platelets did not differ significantly between the hyperlipidemic patients and controls. However, expression of activation markers (CD62P, CD63, PAC-1, and annexin V) by platelets was higher in the hyperlipidemic patients with Type 2 diabetes. The levels of platelet-derived microparticles (PDMPs) and monocyte-derived microparticles (MDMPs) were significantly different in hyperlipidemic patients with Type 2 diabetes and controls. Soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), and anti-Ox LDL antibody also showed higher levels in the hyperlipidemic patients with Type 2 diabetes. After treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the levels of CD62P, CD63, annexin V, PDMPs, and MDMPs, sE-selectin, and oxidized LDL antibody were reduced significantly. Triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol levels were also decreased. Anti-Ox LDL antibodies and MDMPs were correlated positively with platelet CD62P (plt-CD62P) levels. These findings suggest that in hyperlipidemic patients with Type 2 diabetes, EPA may prevent complications caused by oxidized LDL, E-selectin, and activated platelets or monocytes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.