Effects of beraprost and cilostazol and renal function on serum thrombomodulin levels in diabetic patients

Serum thrombomodulin (TM) levels were determined in diabetic patients, and the effects of diabetic complications and renal function on TM were studied. Serum TM levels increased in diabetics, and patients with diabetic nephropathy tended to manifest higher levels of TM. There was a significant correlation between TM and serum creatinine levels. In addition, there was a significant elevation in serum TM levels in diabetics over time (1 year to 1 year 8 months), and the changes were particularly evident in patients who had a higher TM level from before the observation period. Furthermore, when patients were treated with an antiplatelet agent--beraprost (CAS 88475-69-8) or cilostazol (CAS 73963-72-1)--a significant reduction in TM levels was observed after 3 months. It is suggested that TM could be used as index to assess the development of clinical complications in diabetics and that anti-platelet agents have potential usefulness in delaying the aggravation of diabetic complications.