Circulating endothelial microparticles correlate inversely with endothelial function in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: Bone-marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells (CD34+ and VEGFR2+ KDR+ EPC) and endothelial-derived microparticles (CD 31+Annexin V+, EMP; indicator for endothelial apoptosis) were examined in the peripheral blood of 35 male, clinically stable patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). The patients were divided in 2 groups, those with preserved or normal function (n = 17; EF 65 +/- 6%) and those with reduced left ventricular (LV) function (n = 18; EF 36 +/- 11%).

Methods And Results: The number of circulating EPCs was decreased by 25% (P = .

Hormonal status modulates circulating endothelial progenitor cells.

Objective: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may have an important role in vascular homeostasis and repair.

Methods: We examined the level of circulating EPCs in pre- (n = 22; mean age 28.7 years), and postmenopausal healthy females without (n = 30; mean age 61.