Circulating endothelial progenitor cell deficiency contributes to impaired arterial elasticity in persons of advancing age

Reduced arterial elasticity is a hallmark of ageing in healthy humans and appears to occur independently of coexisting disease processes. Endothelial-cell injury and dysfunction may be responsible for this fall in arterial elasticity. We hypothesized that circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are involved in endothelial repair and that lack of EPCs contributes to impaired arterial elasticity. A total of 56 healthy male volunteers were divided into young (n=26) and elderly (n=30) groups. Large and small artery elasticity indices were noninvasively assessed using pulse wave analysis. The number of circulating EPCs was measured by using flow cytometry. Cells demonstrating DiI-acLDL and FITC-ulex lectin double-positive fluorescence were identified as EPCs. C1 large artery elasticity and C2 small artery elasticity indices were significantly reduced in the elderly group compared with the young group (11.73+/-1.45 vs 16.88+/-1.69 ml/mm Hg x 10, P<0.001; 8.40+/-1.45 vs 10.58+/-1.18 ml/mm Hg x 100, P<0.001, respectively). In parallel, the number of circulating EPCs was significantly reduced in the elderly group compared with the young group (0.13+/-0.02 vs 0.17+/-0.04%, P<0.05). The number of circulating EPCs correlated with C1 large and C2 small artery elasticity indices (r=0.47, P<0.01; r=0.4, P<0.01). The present findings suggest that the fall in circulating EPCs with subsequently impaired endothelial-cell repair and function contributes to reduced arterial elasticity in humans with ageing. The decrease in circulating EPCs may serve as a surrogate biologic measure of vascular function and human age.     

年龄相关的循环内皮祖细胞变化与动脉弹性关系的研究

目的　研究年龄对循环内皮祖细胞及动脉弹性的影响,探讨循环内皮祖细胞水平与动脉弹性损伤的关系。方法　56例健康男性志愿者分成青年组(n=26)和老年组(n=30)。采用桡动脉脉搏分析法无创性评价健康志愿者大动脉弹性指数(C1 )和小动脉弹性指数(C2 ), 流式细胞仪测定外周血中CD34+单个核细胞的水平,单个核细胞体外培养2周,荧光显微镜鉴定FITC UEA I和DiI acLDL双染色阳性细胞为内皮祖细胞。结果　老年组与青年组相比较,C1 和C2 明显降低[C1(11. 73±1 .45)比(16 .89±1 .69)ml/mmHg×10, P<0. 001; C2 (8 .40±1 45)比(10. 58±1 .18)ml/mmHg×100, P<0 .001 ];循环内皮祖细胞数目明显减少[ ( 0 .13±0. 02 )比( 0 .17±0. 04 )%,P<0 .05];循环内皮祖细胞水平与动脉弹性指数变化呈正相关(r=0. 47, P<0. 01;r=0 .4, P<0. 01),荧光显微镜鉴定贴壁细胞FITC UEA I和DiI acLDL双染色阳性。结论　增龄导致循环内皮祖细胞数量减少,提示血管内皮修复能力下降和功能障碍,损伤动脉弹性,循环内皮祖细胞水平有可能作为评价血管功能的替代指标。     

Impaired progenitor cell activity in age-related endothelial dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether human age-related endothelial dysfunction is accompanied by quantitative and qualitative alterations of the endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) pool. BACKGROUND: Circulating progenitor cells with an endothelial phenotype contribute to the regeneration and repair of the vessel wall. An association between the loss of endothelial integrity and EPC modification may provide a background to study the mechanistic nature of such age-related vascular changes. METHODS: In 20 old and young healthy individuals (61 +/- 2 years and 25 +/- 1 year, respectively) without major cardiovascular risk factors, endothelial function, defined by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery via ultrasound, as well as the number and function of EPCs isolated from peripheral blood, were determined. RESULTS: Older subjects had significantly impaired endothelium-dependent dilation of brachial artery (flow-mediated dilation [FMD] 5.2 +/- 0.5% vs. 7.1 +/- 0.6%; p < 0.05). Endothelium-independent dilation after glycerol trinitrate (GTN) was not different, but the FMD/GTN ratio was significantly lower in old subjects (49 +/- 4% vs. 37 +/- 3%; p < 0.05), suggesting endothelial dysfunction. There were no differences in the numbers of circulating EPCs, defined as CD34/KDR or CD133/KDR double-positive cells in peripheral blood. In contrast, lower survival (39 +/- 6 cells/mm(2) vs. 65 +/- 11 cells/mm(2); p < 0.05), migration (80 +/- 12 vs. 157 +/- 16 cells/mm(2); p < 0.01), and proliferation (0.20 +/- 0.04 cpm vs. 0.44 +/- 0.07 cpm; p < 0.05) implicate functional impairment of EPCs from old subjects. The FMD correlated univariately with EPC migration (r = 0.52, p < 0.05) and EPC proliferation (r = 0.49, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that both functional features represent independent predictors of endothelial function. CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance of vascular homeostasis by EPCs may be attenuated with age based on functional deficits rather than depletion of CD34/KDR or CD133/KDR cells.     

Smoking is associated with depletion of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure in patients with coronary artery disease

Smoking is associated with depletion of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and may subsequently contribute to the development of vascular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between circulating EPCs and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) as determined by flow cytometry and echocardiography in 174 patients (mean age 69 ± 9 years, 95 smokers) with established coronary artery disease. Smokers had significantly lower circulating log CD34/KDR(+) (0.86 ± 0.03 vs 0.96 ± 0.03 × 10?3/ml, p = 0.032) and log CD133/KDR(+) (0.68 ± 0.03 vs 0.82 ± 0.03 × 10?3/ml, p = 0.002) EPCs and a higher prevalence of elevated PASP >30 mm Hg (52% vs 30%, p = 0.001) than nonsmokers. Smokers with elevated PASP also had significantly lower circulating log CD34/KDR(+) (0.74 ± 0.04 vs 0.88 ± 0.06 × 10?3/ml, p <0.001) and log CD133/KDR(+) (0.61 ± 0.04 vs 0.78 ± 0.05 × 10?3/ml, p <0.001) EPCs, higher pulmonary vascular resistance, and larger right ventricular dimensions with impaired function (all p values <0.05). Log CD34/KDR(+) and log CD133/KDR(+) EPC counts were significantly and negatively correlated with PASP (r = -0.30, p <0.001, and r = -0.34, p <0.001, respectively) and pulmonary vascular resistance (r = -0.29, p = 0.002, and r = -0.18, p = 0.013, respectively). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that in patients with coronary artery disease, smoking was associated with a reduced number of EPCs and elevated PASP. This suggests that in smokers, depletion of circulating EPCs might be linked to the occurrence of pulmonary vascular dysfunction.     

冠心病患者血管内皮功能障碍与动脉弹性关系的研究

目的　探讨冠心病患者血管内皮功能障碍与动脉弹性的关系。方法　采用高分辨率血管超声法检测 30例冠心病患者与 30例正常对照组肱动脉血流介导的内皮依赖性血管舒张功能(FMD);应用动脉弹性功能检测仪测定受试者的大动脉弹性指数 (C1 )和小动脉弹性指数 (C2 )。结果　冠心病组血流介导的肱动脉舒张反应明显低于对照组[ (5 17±2 13)% 与 (11 10±4 36)%,P<0 05];冠心病组与正常对照组的C1 差异无统计学意义 [ ( 11 59±4 56 )ml/mmHg( 1mmHg=0 133kPa) ×10与 (12 11±3 82)ml/mmHg×10, P>0 05],但冠心病组的C2 明显低于正常对照组[ (4 20±1 80)ml/mmHg×100与 (6 26±2 36)ml/mmHg×100, P<0 05],冠心病组血流介导的肱动脉舒张反应与C2 呈正相关(r=0 53, P<0 05)。结论　冠心病患者肱动脉内皮依赖血管舒张功能受损和C2 降低,且两者之间呈正相关,提示C2 可作为一种评价血管内皮功能的新指标。     

脱氢野百合碱诱发肺动脉高压犬的循环内皮祖细胞数量和功能变化

目的 观察脱氢野百合碱(DHMC)诱发犬肺动脉高压形成前后循环内皮祖细胞数量和功能的变化.方法 10只Beagle犬经右心室注射DHMC诱导肺动脉高压(PAH).注射DHMC前、注射后6周采集静脉血,用流式细胞仪分析AC133和KDR检测双阳性的细胞数量.收集单个核细胞体外培养7 d后进行乙酰化低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(DiLDL)摄取和凝集素-Ⅰ(UEA-Ⅰ)结合反应,并进行体外血管生成试验.计量资料采用(-x)±s表示,采用配对t检验进行统计学分析.结果 10只Beagle犬注射DHMC后9只存活,1只于第2天死亡.注射DHMC后6周肺动脉平均压由(11.3±2.0)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)增高到(20.2±1.6)mm Hg(t=10.307,P＜0.01).PAH形成前后经流式细胞仪分析的ACl33和KDR双阳性细胞数量分别为(632.8±42.8)个/nil和(206.1±26.8)个/m1(t=25.361,P＜0.01);体外培养7 d的细胞中UEA-Ⅰ和DiLDL染色双阳性细胞数量分别为(41±6)个/200倍视野和(22±6)个/200倍视野(t=6.510,P＜0.01).体外成血管试验中形成的血管数为(21.1±2.8)支/200倍视野和(11.2±2.8)y./200倍视野(t=7.583,P＜0.01).结论 犬肺动脉高压形成后循环内皮祖细胞数最减少,成血管能力下降.     

Burden of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with stroke: relationships with circulating endothelial progenitor cells and hypertension

Recent studies suggest that reductions in circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. However, whether reduced circulating EPCs contribute to cerebrovascular disease remains undefined. We tested the hypothesis that reduced circulating EPCs was associated with an increased burden of carotid atherosclerosis. The level of circulating CD34+/KDR+ EPCs and the extent of carotid atherosclerosis were determined in 30 patients with a history of atherothrombotic ischaemic stroke and 30 age- and sex-matched controls (mean age: 63+/-2 years; 63% men). Stroke patients, compared with controls, had significantly higher carotid mean maximum intima-media thickness (mmIMT) (1.08+/-0.05 versus 0.90+/-0.02 mm, P=0.002), prevalence of carotid plaque (60.0 versus 23.3%, P=0.004) and a lower number of circulating CD34+/KDR+ EPCs (235.7+/-45.5 versus 400.4+/-56.8 cells/mul, P=0.027). The circulating CD34+/KDR+ EPC count correlated negatively with carotid mmIMT (r=-0.50, P<0.001), and was an independent risk factor for increased carotid mmIMT>1 mm (odds ratio (OR): 7.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.62-36.74, P=0.010) and the presence of carotid plaque (OR: 7.04; 95% CI: 1.95-25.43, P=0.003). Furthermore, stroke patients with low (<25th percentile of controls) as compared to those with normal CD34+/KDR+ EPC count had a significantly greater carotid mmIMT (1.21+/-0.07 versus 0.93+/-0.05 mm, P=0.005) and a significantly higher prevalence of carotid plaque (87.5% versus 28.6%; P=0.001). Our observations suggested that reduced circulating EPC may contribute to the progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Circulating EPC count may provide a novel marker for the burden of carotid atherosclerosis.     

Effect of green tea consumption on endothelial function and circulating endothelial progenitor cells in chronic smokers.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate the effect and relationship of endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) by green tea consumption in chronic smokers. The numbers of circulating EPCs have an inverse correlation with chronic smoking and endothelial dysfunction. Green tea catechin improved endothelial dysfunction in chronic smokers. METHOD AND RESULTS: In 20 young healthy smokers, endothelial functions, defined by flow-mediated endothelium dependent vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery via ultrasound as well as the number of EPCs isolated from peripheral blood, were determined at baseline and at 2 weeks after green tea consumption (8 g/day). Circulating EPCs were quantified by flow cytometry as CD45lowCD34+KDR2+ cells and by acyl-low-density lipoprotein and fluorescein isotiocyanate-lectin double positive cells after culture for 7 days. Clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were not significantly different between the baseline and at 2 weeks after green tea intake. EPC levels were inversely correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked. Circulating EPCs by flow cytometry (78.6+/-72.6 vs 156.1+/-135.8 /ml, p<0.001) and cultured EPCs (118.2+/-35.7 vs 169.31+/-58.3/10 field, p<0.001) increased rapidly at 2 weeks after green tea consumption. FMD was significantly improved after 2 weeks (7.2+/-2.8 vs 9.3+/-2.4, p<0.001). The FMD correlated with EPC counts (r=0.67, p=0.003) before treatment and after 2 weeks (r=0.60, p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: A short-term administration of green tea consumption induces a rapid improvement of EPC levels and FMD. Green tea consumption may be effective to prevent future cardiovascular events in chronic smokers.     

非阻塞性冠状动脉粥样硬化患者内皮功能不全的影响因素

目的探讨非阻塞性冠状动脉粥样硬化患者内皮功能不全的影响因素。方法选取2013年6月至2015年6月首都医科大学宣武医院心脏内科收治的因胸痛疑诊冠心病、经冠状动脉造影检查证实为非阻塞性冠状动脉粥样硬化症(冠状动脉狭窄<50%)的患者110例。行肱动脉血流介导内皮依赖性血管舒张功能(FMD)检测,用流式细胞仪检测外周血CD133+/KDR+、CD34+/KDR+以及CD34+/CD133+/KDR+内皮祖细胞(EPCs)。根据FMD分为对照组(FMD>10%)和内皮功能不全组(FMD≤10%)。采用SPSS 19.0软件进行统计分析。应用logistic回归模型分析影响内皮功能不全的因素。结果2组患者CD133+/CDR+、CD34+/KDR+或CD34+/CD133+/KDR+循环EPCs数量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,年龄是影响内皮功能不全的独立危险因素(95%CI 1.004~1.104,P=0.033)。结论非阻塞性冠状动脉粥样硬化患者内皮功能不全的独立影响因素是年龄,而非循环EPCs数量。     

Functional impairment of hematopoietic progenitor cells in patients with coronary heart disease

The circulating form of endothelial progenitors cells (EPCs) are derived from bone marrow (BM)-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Enhanced mobilization of EPCs was shown to be linked to cardiac diseases. This study investigated whether reduced EPC levels in advanced coronary heart disease (CHD) are secondary to a functional exhaustion of HSCs in the BM or to reduced mobilization. Number and functional properties of EPCs were assessed in 15 healthy controls, and 40 patients with CHD. The colony-forming unit (CFU) capacity of BM-derived mononuclear cells and the CD34+ HSC number were examined in four healthy volunteers, and 15 CHD patients. EPC number was reduced in CHD patients (P < 0.01 vs. controls). Moreover, the migratory capacity was significantly impaired in EPCs of CHD patients (P < 0.05 vs. controls). On multivariate analysis, CHD was an independent predictor of functional EPC impairment. CFUs were reduced in CHD patients (59.6 +/- 21.2 vs. 75.4 +/- 25.8 in controls, P < 0.05). CHD was also predictor of impaired CFU capacity. In this small clinical study, CHD is associated with selective impairment of HSC function in the BM and in the peripheral blood, which may contribute to impairment of cardiac function.     

Suppression of endothelial progenitor cells in human coronary artery disease by the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine.

OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) may be an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). BACKGROUND: Endothelial progenitor cells play a pivotal role in regeneration of injured endothelium, thereby limiting the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Reduced numbers of EPCs may affect progression of coronary artery disease. Regulation of EPC mobilization and function is mediated in part by nitric oxide (NO). Endogenous inhibitors of NO synthases, such as ADMA, contribute to endothelial dysfunction and injury. METHODS: We used flow cytometry and in vitro assays to investigate the relationship between EPC number and function with ADMA plasma levels in patients with stable angina. RESULTS: The plasma concentration of ADMA was related to the severity of coronary artery disease and correlated inversely with the number of circulating CD34+/CD133+ progenitor cells (r = -0.69; p < 0.0001) and endothelial colony forming units (CFUs) (r = -0.75; p < 0.0001). Adjusting for all patient characteristics, we confirmed these findings in multivariate regression analyses. In vitro differentiation of EPCs was repressed by ADMA in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with untreated cells, ADMA reduced EPC incorporation into endothelial tube-like structures to 27 +/- 11% (p < 0.001). Asymmetric dimethylarginine repressed the formation of CFUs from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells to 35 +/- 7% (p < 0.001). Asymmetric dimethylarginine decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in EPCs to 64 +/- 6% (p < 0.05) when compared with controls. Co-incubation with the hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin abolished the detrimental effects of ADMA. CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetric dimethylarginine is an endogenous inhibitor of mobilization, differentiation, and function of EPCs. This contributes to the cardiovascular risk in patients with high ADMA levels and may explain low numbers and function of EPCs in patients with coronary artery disease.     

Reduced number of circulating endothelial progenitors and HOXA9 expression in CD34+ cells of hypertensive patients

OBJECTIVE: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) differentiate into mature endothelial cells and regenerate the injured endothelium. The role of homeobox A9 (HOXA9) is critical for endothelial commitment during progenitor cell maturation, postnatal neovascularization and vascular repair. The objective of our study was to measure the expression of HOXA9 in CD34+ cells from hypertensive patients and to investigate its correlation with the number of circulating EPCs. METHODS: Thirty patients with newly diagnosed, never-treated essential hypertension and 30 age- and sex-matched normotensive controls were recruited for the study. Total RNA was extracted from peripheral CD34+ cells and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for measurement of HOXA9 expression was performed. The number of CD34+/human kinase insert domain protein receptor + (KDR+) EPCs was measured and the Framingham risk estimated. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients had reduced HOXA9 expression compared to normotensive subjects (-26%, P < 0.001), and lower levels of peripheral CD34+/KDR+ EPCs (421 +/- 93 versus 582 +/- 101, P < 0.001). HOXA9 expression was inversely associated with systolic blood pressure (r = -0.54, P < 0.001) and the Framingham risk (r = -0.50, P < 0.001). A direct association was observed between the number of EPCs and HOXA9 expression (r = 0.50, P < 0.001), which was independent of blood pressure levels and Framingham risk. In a subgroup of 15 hypertensive patients, a 4-week treatment with ramipril was associated with a significant 15% increase in HOXA9 expression and 25% increase in EPC levels. CONCLUSIONS: In hypertensive patients, downregulation of HOXA9 expression in peripheral CD34+ cells may have a role in the loss of circulating EPCs, thus potentially impairing postnatal neovascularization and vascular repair.     

Mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with hematological malignancies after treatment with filgrastim and chemotherapy for autologous transplantation

In recent years, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), gave rise to increasing interest because of their possible use as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of vascular lesions in ischemic tissues or as a target for anti neoplastic therapy. It has been shown that several drugs can increase the number of EPCs into the peripheral blood (PB). However, there is insufficient data concerning the mobilization and collection of EPCs during CD34+ cell mobilization. In this study, we have evaluated EPC mobilization and collection in a series of 47 patients affected by lymphoid neoplasms [31 non Hodgkin lymphoma and 16 multiple myeloma] undergoing CD34+ cell mobilization with cyclophosphamide (4000 mg/m2) and Filgrastim (5 microg/kg). PB EPCs identified by flow cytometry as CD34+/VEGFR2+/CD133+ cells showed a peak on day +10. This peak paralleled that of PB CD34+/CD45+ cells. A direct correlation was observed between CD34+ and CD34+/VEGFR2+/CD133+ cells (r = 0.99 P < 0.0001). An average of 23.7 x 10e6 CD34+/VEGFR2+ CD133+ cells have been collected (range 12.1-41.76 x 10e6). These findings showed that in hematological diseases, cyclophosphamide in combination with filgrastim allows the mobilization and collection of large numbers of EPCs which may be used for reparative medicine studies in these patients.     

Reduced number and activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction plays a central and critical role in the initiation and development of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), and a variety of evidence suggests that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) constitute one aspect of endothelium repair. In addition, transplantation of EPCs could attenuate pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline in rats. However, it has not been examined and reported whether circulating EPCs from patients with IPAH are damaged. METHODS: EPCs were isolated and cultured from patients with IPAH (n=20) and matched healthy volunteers (n=20). Circulating EPC numbers (enumerated as AC133+KDR+ cells) as well as migratory and adhesive activity were assessed. Blood levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), homocysteine (Hcy), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also measured. RESULTS: A significant decrease was observed in circulating EPC (AC133+KDR+ cells, 86.6+/-20.7cells/ml blood vs. 119.6+/-25.4cells/ml blood, P<0.001) numbers and the cell numbers expanded in vitro (47.2+/-14.5 vs. 70.7+/-15.2EPCs/x200 field; P<0.001) in patients with IPAH. EPCs from patients with IPAH were significantly impaired in their migratory capacity and ability to adhere to fibronectin. Blood levels of VEGF, Hcy, BNP, vWF and IL-6 were elevated in patients with IPAH. EPC numbers and activity were inversely related to Hcy, IL-6, BNP and vWF. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations indicated that EPC numbers and functional capacity were impaired in patients with IPAH, which might not only give potential insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms but also might be useful for identifying suitable therapeutic targets in these patients.     

Reduced arterial elasticity is associated with endothelial dysfunction in persons of advancing age: comparative study of noninvasive pulse wave analysis and laser Doppler blood flow measurement

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is the earliest marker for age-related abnormalities in vascular function, and examination of endothelial function has important clinical relevance. The present study was performed to evaluate effects of aging on arterial elasticity by using pulse waveform analysis and to investigate whether the changes in arterial elasticity might be used as a noninvasive measure for endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 24 healthy male volunteers were divided into young (n = 12) and elderly (n = 12) groups. Endothelial function was evaluated by delivering acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to the forearm vessels using iontophoresis, respectively, and measured blood flow using laser Doppler fluximetry. Large and small artery elasticity indices were noninvasively assessed using pulse wave analysis. RESULTS: Basal blood flow was similar between the young and elderly groups (14.58 +/- 3.4 v 13.52 +/- 3.41 PU, P = NS). Peak blood flow induced by Ach was significantly reduced in the elderly group compared with the young group (83.4 +/- 11.9 v 93.75 +/- 10.87 PU, P < .05). However, peak blood flow induced by SNP was similar in the two groups (119.17 +/- 16.76 v 128.33 +/- 21.29 PU, P = NS). In parallel, C1 large artery elasticity and C2 small artery elasticity indices were significantly reduced in the elderly group compared with the young group (11.42 +/- 1.67 v 16.75 +/- 2.09 mL/mm Hg x 10, P < .001; and 7.67 +/- 1.56 v 10.75 +/- 1.86 mL/mm Hg x 100, P < .001, respectively). The Ach-induced peak blood flow correlated with C1 large and C2 small artery elasticity indices. CONCLUSIONS: Advancing age is associated with endothelial dysfunction and reduced arterial elasticity. Reduced arterial elasticity parallels changes in impaired endothelium dependent vasodilation. It appears that reduced arterial elasticity may be used as a noninvasive measure for the determination of endothelial function.     

高血压伴冠心病患者冠状动脉狭窄与周围动脉功能关系的研究

目的分析冠状动脉的病变支数及狭窄程度与周围动脉弹性功能的关系。方法对88例高血压病患者与41例无高血压病临床怀疑冠心病的患者,在冠状动脉造影前后采用美国FDA批准的PULSEMETRIC动脉功能测定仪通过测定肱动脉脉搏图计算出反应血管弹性的参数,包括系统血管顺应性（SVC）、系统血管阻力（SVR）、肱动脉顺应性（BAC）及肱动脉阻力（BAR）,分析高血压伴及不伴冠状动脉病变者的动脉弹性的特点。结果（1）高血压组严重冠状动脉病变（冠状动脉病变〉12支以上）发生率[64．7％（57／88）]高于血压正常组[27．1％（11／41）,P〈0．05）;（2）高血压组的SVC[（0．85±0．10）ml／mmHg（1mmHg=0．133kPa）]、BAC[（0．047±0．011）ml／mmHg]明显低于非高血压组[SVC（1．17±0．11）ml／mmHg,BAC（0．063±0．010）ml／mmHg,均P〈0．05],高血压组的脉压则明显高于非高血压组[（78±20）mmHg比（47±19）ml／mmHg,P〈0．01];（3）高血压组内,动脉弹性有随冠状动脉病变加重而下降的趋势,而动脉弹性功能参数在不同的性别存在不同的变化;（4）当血压水平达到2～3级,SVC有随冠状动脉病变程度加重而降低的趋势。结论在高血压病患者中,无创方法测得的动脉功能参数在一定程度上可以反映其冠状动脉病变程度。     

不稳定性心绞痛患者循环内皮祖细胞与血管内皮功能的变化

目的探讨不稳定性心绞痛患者外周血循环内皮祖细胞(EPCS)与血管内皮功能的变化。方法采用高分辨率血管超声法检测30例不稳定性心绞痛患者与30例正常者作对照组肱动脉血流介导的内皮依赖性血管舒张功能(FMD)及硝酸甘油介导的非内皮依赖性血管舒张功能(NMD);流式细胞仪测定外周血中CD34+单个核细胞的水平;外周血分离单个核细胞一定条件下培养2周,免疫组织化学技术鉴定培养贴壁细胞表面标志CD34的表达;倒置荧光显微镜鉴定贴壁细胞FITC-UEA-I和DII-ACLDL双染色阳性细胞为正在分化的EPCS。结果不稳定性心绞痛组FMD明显低于对照组[(5·85±3·04)%比(8·81±4·48)%,P<0·05];NMD在两组中差异无统计学意义[(13·60±5·03)%比(14·18±4·50)%,P>0·05];CD34+细胞水平明显高于对照组[(0·13±0·05)%比(0·09±0·04)%,P<0·05];FMD与CD34+细胞水平呈负相关(R=-0·385,P<0·05)。培养的贴壁细胞免疫组化显示CD34阳性,倒置荧光显微镜显示这些贴壁细胞FITC-UEA-I和DII-ACLDL双染色阳性。结论不稳定性心绞痛患者CD34+细胞增加和血管内皮功能受损,提示循环EPCS增加可能是对急性冠状动脉缺血和内皮损伤的代偿反应。     

糖尿病小鼠缺血诱导的骨髓内皮祖细胞动员障碍

目的 观察糖尿病动物缺血诱导的骨髓内皮祖细胞（EPC）动员是否存在障碍,以及这种障碍是否和缺血诱导的血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）释放降低有关。方法 链脲霉素40mg／kg诱导C5781／6雄鼠糖尿病,非糖尿病组给予等量缓冲液。饲养2个月后,进行左侧股动脉高位结扎离断术造成后肢缺血模型,通过红四氮唑染色法与后肢血管造影确定造模成功。于术前及术后不同时间点采血（1天,3天,n：8;5天,7天及14天,n=5）,三色流式细胞术检测两组动物外周血单个核细胞中c-Ki^＋／Sea-1^＋／flk-1^＋早期EPC比例。ELISA法测定相应时间点血浆VEGF水平。结果 基础状态下,糖尿病组循环EPC数量较非糖尿病组明显减少[（0．60±0．03）％比（0．95±0．09）％,P〈0．001],血浆VEGF水平低于试剂盒检测灵敏度。两组动物缺血诱导的骨髓早期EPC释放曲线相似,即术后1天显著增加,术后3天达峰,动员持续至2周以上。但是在EPC早期快速动员阶段（术后前3天）,糖尿病组外周血早期EPC数量较非糖尿病组明显减少[1天,（1．16±0．29）％比（1．80±0．32）％,P〈0．05;3天,（1．38±0．34）％比（2．37±0．52）％,P〈0．05]。同时组织缺血也伴随着血浆VEGF浓度的显著增高：非糖尿病组血浆VEGF水平在术后一天快速增加并达到峰值,此后渐降至相对较低水平持续两周以上;而糖尿病组术后1天血浆VEGF快速释放明显降低[（73．1±18．6）pg／ml比（128．5±44．2）Pg／ml,P〈0．05]。结论 糖尿病动物基础状态下外周血早期EPC数量减少,组织缺血诱导的骨髓EPC动员障碍,这种障碍可能与缺血诱导的VEGF释放减少有关。     

Leptin receptor and functional effects of leptin in human endothelial progenitor cells

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may be involved in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis and their impairment may be conducive to vascular disease. We studied the role of an adipocyte-derived hormone, leptin, in the regulation of human EPC function. EPCs were grown from human circulating mononuclear cells. The presence of the leptin receptor and the functional effects of leptin in EPCs were investigated. EPCs stained positive for endothelial cell markers (Flk-1 and Tie-2 receptors) and the hematopoietic CD34 marker. The presence of the long form of the leptin receptor in EPCs was confirmed by Western blotting and with immunofluorescence. Leptin, at a physiological concentration of 10 ng/ml, significantly increased tube formation from 2.1+/-2.2 to 12.4+/-4.9 tubes/25 mm2. At a higher concentration of 100 ng/ml of leptin, tube formation was reduced compared to the lower concentration. This higher concentration of leptin also inhibited EPC migration, decreasing it from 0.45+/-0.14 to 0.28+/-0.12 mm/48 h. Leptin did not have any effect on EPC proliferation. In summary, the leptin receptor is present in human EPCs and leptin may affect EPC function, both in physiological and in hyperleptinemic conditions. These findings are relevant to leptin-mediated regulation of vasculogenesis in humans, and the association between hyperleptinemia and obesity with cardiovascular disease.     

Endothelial progenitor cells are reduced in refractory hypertension

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a key role in the maintenance of endothelial homoeostasis and promote vascular repair. They may also be of predictive value for cardiovascular events. Reduced EPC number and functional activity have been associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, but their relationship with hypertension remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate if number and function of circulating EPCs are reduced in patients with refractory hypertension (RHT). Circulating EPCs (CD34+ CD133+/CD45+) were isolated from peripheral blood by flow cytometry in 39 RHT and 30 normotensive controls. EPC number was also determined in vitro after 7 days in culture. After age adjustment, EPC concentration was significantly reduced in RHT as compared with controls (mean (95% CI), 33.8 (18.1-49.6) vs 69.1 (50.7-87.5) EPCs per 10(5) peripheral mononuclear cells (MNCs), respectively; P=0.014). After in vitro culture, EPCs were also reduced in patients as compared with controls (mean (95% CI), 142.3 (49.5-235.0) vs 611.0 (480.2-741.8) EPCs per field, respectively, P<0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, circulating EPCs were significantly reduced by 56.3% in RHT as compared with control (P=0.006), independently of all other known risk factors. Moreover, RHT had a high independent predictive value for lower EPC proliferation. The number of EPCs per field was reduced by 76.7% in RHT with respect to controls (P<0.001). In summary, the number of circulating EPCs after culture is reduced in patients with RHT, which may be related to the increased rate of endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerotic disease and cardiovascular events observed in this population.