| Abstract: | Sitagliptin, a selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor drug is used to treat type-2 diabetes (T2DM). We investigated the anti-platelet activity of sitagliptin in patients with T2DM and in in vitro samples obtained from healthy humans. Patients with T2DM (27 male + 23 female) were selected and followed up before (control) and after treatment with sitagliptin for up to 3 months. Platelets were isolated from the blood of sitagliptin treated patients and controls. Patients with T2DM treated with sitagliptin for 1and 3 months, showed 10?±?2% and 30?±?5% inhibition of platelet aggregation, respectively. For the in vitro study, platelets from 10 normal humans (n?=?10) were isolated. Platelet aggregation, intracellular free calcium and tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple proteins were measured by aggregometer, spectrofluorometer and western blotting, respectively. Platelets pre-treated with 5 and 10?µg/ml of sitagliptin, showed 25?±?4% and 40?±?6% inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, respectively. Sitagliptin decreased intracellular free calcium (2.5-fold) and tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple proteins in thrombin-induced platelet activation. Sitagliptin inhibited platelet aggregation in T2DM as well as in healthy humans. Sitagliptin has significant concentration-dependent anti-platelet activity. This activity was due to its inhibitory effect on intracellular free calcium and tyrosine phosphorylation. |
