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  • Title: Von Willebrand factor, diabetes mellitus and retinopathy.
    Author: Paton RC, Passa P, Canivet J.
    Journal: Horm Metab Res Suppl; 1981; 11():55-8. PubMed ID: 6797913.
    Abstract:
    Von Willebrand factor (VIII: vWf) is a glycoprotein which is essential for normal platelet adhesion to vascular subendothelium, particularly at the high shear rates encountered in small blood vessels. VIII: vWf is distributed in plasma, platelets and subendothelium, though the contributions of each pool to normal hemostasis is unknown. Raised plasma of VIII: vWf have been frequently described in association with diabetes, the highest concentrations being found in patients with retinopathy. In addition, concentrations of VIII: vWf appear to be influenced by the degree of metabolic control of the diabetics, particularly high levels being found during diabetic coma. Plasmatic concentrations of VIII: vWf greater than normal have not been shown to result in increased platelet adhesion or aggregation, so that is seems unlikely that the high levels of plasmatic VIII: vWf contribute directly to the pathogensis of retinopathy. On the other hand, increases in VIII: vWF during episodes of poor metabolic control could be evidence of reversible injury to the vascular endothelium, whereas stable, high concentrations may indicate the presence of microangiopathy.
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