A new study, led by Dr. Abel, published in the journal Diabetes, exhibits that platelets from diabetic mice have increased glucose uptake and metabolism, which promotes over-activation of platelets and excess blood clotting. These findings propose that blocking glucose metabolism in platelets might provide a target for reducing abnormal blood clotting in diabetic patients.
Previous studies have indicated that type 1 diabetes increases platelet activation. Platelets are tiny cell fragments, that when activated, promote blood clot formation to stop bleeding or repair injured blood vessels.
Click here to find out how Dr. Abel explains blood clotting in type 1 diabetes.