Abstract
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are novel markers of endothelial dysfunction and are related to cardiovascular disease. However, their relationship with cerebral atherosclerosis (CA) has not been investigated extensively. We aim to study the relationship between CA severity and EPC subpopulations levels. We enrolled 197 patients in this study. EPCs were measured by flow cytometry. Digital subtraction angiography was used to assess CA. Arterial lesion severity was evaluated among cerebral arteries which showed steno-occlusion change and the extent of that condition. There was a significant inverse correlation between EPCs level and CA prevalence after adjusting for confounders (CD45(-/dim)CD34(+)CD309(+) cells: odds ratio [OR], 0.110; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.026-0.475; P = .00; CD45(-/dim)CD133(+)CD309(+) cells: OR, 0.134; 95% CI, 0.030-0.599; P = .01; CD45(-/dim) CD34(+)CD133(+)CD309(+) cells: OR, 0.010; 95% CI, 0.001-0 .541, P = .02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only the EPCs level was significantly inversely associated with extracranial atherosclerosis rather than intracranial atherosclerosis (P > .05). Our data indicated that EPCs subpopulations were independent predictors for CA severity, even after controlling for traditional risk factors.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
