Abstract
Objective Little is known about the a ssociation between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and e ndothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods Blood mononuclear cells were isolated from CAD (n = 30) patients and non-CAD controls (n = 30). Flow cytometric analysis and an in vitro c ulture system was used to evaluate the number and function of the EPC. Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration was measured by an automated fl uorescence polarization immunoassay.Results Hcy level was higher in CAD than in non-CAD (13.69 ± 4.48 vs9.34 ± 2.31 μmol/L, P < 0.01). The number of circulating EPCs from CAD was decreased compared with non-CAD (58.7 ± 10.6 vs. 94.3 ± 15.1 cells/ml, P < 0.01). This decrease of EPCs in CAD was also detected (33.5 ± 6.9 vs. 55.9 ± 9.7 EPCs/×200 fi eld; P < 0.01) in an in vitroculture system. The numbers of circulating and diff erentiated EPCs were both inversely correlated with Hcy. EPCs from CAD were signifi cantly impaired in their migratory capacity and ability to adhere to fi bronectin.Conclusions We observed the correlation between Hcy level and EPC number, and also found an increased Hcy level in CAD patients. It will be interesting to reveal the underlying mechanisms contributing to the correlation and examine the possible causal relationship between Hcy levels and CAD.
Published Version
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