Correlation between serotonin levels in plasma and platelets in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine, in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) levels in plasma and platelets, 5-HT transporter (SERT), platelet 5-HT_2A receptor and transglutaminase 2. We performed a cross-sectional studying two groups: 1) adolescents with type 1 diabetes and 2) controls. Three milliliters of blood was obtained from all patients to determine 5-HT levels in plasma and platelets. Furthermore, platelets were obtained to evaluate SERT expression, 5-HT_2A receptor and transglutaminase 2 using Western blot. Dot blot was used for 5-HT. Glucose, glycated hemoglobin, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, hemoglobin, mean platelet volume and platelet count were also measured. Results were analyzed using Student t and Mann-Whitney U tests; P < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Adolescents with type 1 diabetes had an elevation of plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (P < 0.001) as well as an increase the 5-HT levels in plasma and platelets along with a decreased expression of SERT, 5-HT_2A and increased transglutaminase 2 in platelets compared to controls (P < 0.05). Increased the 5-HT levels in plasma and platelets, together with the decreased expression of SERT and 5-HT_2A receptors and increase in transglutaminase 2 platelets, may have an important role in the prothrombotic state frequently presented by patients with diabetes.