To study platelet-derived microparticle generation in diabetes mellitus, we injected alloxan into male Japanese white rabbits. Injection of alloxan induced diabetes, but did not cause any significant change in various biochemical and hematological parameters. However, diabetic rabbits showed a significant elevation of platelet-derived microparticles from 8 weeks after alloxan injection (week 0: 0.45 +/- 0.24%; week 8: 1.12 +/- 0.61%, p < 0.005). These microparticles are known to have prothrombinase activity, suggesting that they may promote vascular complications in diabetes and may be used as a marker of vascular disease.