Decreased level of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with stable angina is partially restored after coronary revascularization

摘要

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are considered to contribute to endothelial repair and angiogenesis. It has been shown that circulating EPC level is significantly decreased in ischemic conditions, such as coronary artery disease (CAD) or lower limb ischemia. We sought to determine whether improvement of ischemia can influence EPC number in patients with stable CAD. We have shown that circulating EPC level in patients with stable CAD is significantly reduced- corresponding to the severity of ischemia and correlates positively with coronary collateralization. EPC level partially recovered after successful coronary revascularization. This effect was not observed in patients with diabetes. The best recovery of EPC level was achieved in younger patients with less atherosclerotic burden.