The trend in the changing of human peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells after brain infarction due to carotid atherosclerosis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the trend in the changing of peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with acute brain infarction due to atherosclerosis of internal carotid artery. Methods Peripheral blood samples of 30 adults were collected on the first 24 h, and 4, 7, 14 and 21 d after acute brain infarction. Mononuclear cells were collected. The expressions of CD34 and CD133 were detected by flow cytometry, and the number of EPCs was counted. Results There was significant difference in the number of peripheral blood EPCs among 3 groups at different time points (P = 0.000, for all). The number of peripheral blood EPCs was significantly lower in brain infarction group and carotid atherosclerosis group at 24 h than that in normal control group (P = 0.000, for all). The number of peripheral blood EPCs reduced to the lowest level at 7 d in brain infarction group (P = 0.001) and nearly approached to the level of that in carotid atherosclerosis group at 21 d (P = 0.901), but was still lower than normal range (P = 0.000). There was no relationship between the number changes of EPCs with platelet count (R2 = 0.852, P = 0.895) in the follow⁃up period. Conclusion Peripheral blood EPCs in patients with brain infarction due to carotid atherosclerosis is lower than normal level. At the acute stage of brain infarction, the bone marrow can be depressed, and amount of EPCs is consumed for repairing the injuried endothelium. Therefore, transient decrease of EPCs is observed at acute stage of brain infarction. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2010.06.015