Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 40278191 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd12040132
Decreased Endothelial Progenitor Cells Are Associated with Severe Coronary Artery Disease: Insights from a Clinical Study.
J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 12(4)
Authors: Ivan Tomić, Ivan Zeljko, Ivica Brizić, Violeta Šoljić, Ivona Ivančić, Monika Tomić, Marina Ćurlin, Domagoj Tomić
Affiliations
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Kralja Tvrtka bb, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Faculty of Health Study, University of Mostar, Trg Hrvatskih Velikana 1, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Kralja Tvrtka bb, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mostar, Trg Hrvatskih Velikana 1, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Health Centre Široki Brijeg, Dr. Jure Grubišića 11, 88220 Široki Brijeg, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Abstract
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a crucial role in vascular repair, and their depletion has been involved in coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. This study examines the relationship between circulating EPC levels and CAD complexity, as quantified by the Syntax Score I. A total of 85 patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled, with EPCs quantified using flow cytometry. EPC proportion showed a significant inverse relationship with CAD severity, measured by Syntax Score I. Additionally, we investigated EPC levels in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and found that EPC depletion was more pronounced in this group compared to non-ACS patients (median EPC count: 0.35 vs. 0.61, = 0.027). These findings suggest that lower EPC levels are indicative of more severe CAD and ACS, reinforcing their potential as biomarkers for cardiovascular risk stratification, monitoring disease advancement, and identifying patients at risk of adverse events.
MeSH
Cells, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, Coronary Artery Disease, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Stem Cells, Arteries, Biomarkers