Abstract
Bone-marrow derived progenitor cells (PCs) may play a role in maintaining vascular health by actively repairing damaged endothelium. The purpose of this study in asymptomatic Old Order Amish men (n = 90) without hypertension or diabetes was to determine if PC count, as determined by CD34+ cell count in peripheral blood, was associated with 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. CD34+ cell count by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, coronary artery calcification (CAC) by electron beam computed tomography, and CVD risk factors were obtained. Carotid intimal-medial thickness (CIMT) also was obtained in a subset of 57 men. After adjusting for 10-year CVD risk, CD34+ cell count was significantly associated with CAC quantity (p = 0.03) and CIMT (p < 0.0001). A 1-unit increase in natural-log transformed CD34+ cell count was associated with an estimated 55.2% decrease (95% CI: -77.8% to -9.3%) in CAC quantity and an estimated 14.3% decrease (95% CI: -20.1% to -8.1%) in CIMT. Increased CD34+ cell count was associated with a decrease in extent of subclinical atherosclerosis in multiple arterial beds, independent of 10-year CVD risk. Further investigations of associations of CD34+ cell count with subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals could provide mechanistic insights into the atherosclerotic process.
Highlights
MethodsParticipants were recruited through the communitybased Amish Family Calcification Study (AFCS)
Bone-marrow derived progenitor cells (PCs) may play a role in maintaining vascular health by actively repairing damaged endothelium
Increased CD34+ cell count was associated with a decrease in extent of subclinical atherosclerosis in multiple arterial beds, independent of 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk
Summary
Participants were recruited through the communitybased Amish Family Calcification Study (AFCS). The goals of the AFCS are to examine environmental and genetic risk factors for subclinical atherosclerosis. The Amish tend to have a more homogenous lifestyle compared to other European Americans and are exposed to fewer confounding factors such as use of prescription medications and wide variation in diet, physical activity, education, and socioeconomic status.[7] Participants were evaluated for traditional CVD risk factors at the Amish Research Clinic in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. An electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) examination of the heart was conducted in Timonium, Maryland and highresolution B-mode ultrasound of the common carotid arteries was performed at the Amish Research Clinic. The Institutional Review Boards of the participating institutions approved the study.
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