Testosterone deficiency in male heart failure patients and its effect on endothelial progenitor cells.

Background: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are thought to contribute to reendothelialization and neoangiogenesis. Since it is known that EPCs express a testosterone receptor, we wanted to assess the prevalence of testosterone deficiency in patients with CHF and its impact on circulating EPCs.

Methods: 137 male patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) were included (age 61 ± 13 years; BMI 29 ± 5 kg/m(2); New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) I: n = 47, NYHA II: n = 51, NYHA III: n = 39).

Positive effect of eplerenone treatment on endothelial progenitor cells in patients with chronic heart failure.

Background: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are known to play a significant role in reendothelialization and vascular repair. Recently, a mineralocorticoid receptor was demonstrated to be expressed by EPCs. The study aimed to evaluate a potential influence of eplerenone treatment on the total number of EPCs in patients with chronic heart failure.