title: [Effects of hypercholesterolemia on the number and activity of endothelial progenitor cells in peripheral blood].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether hypercholesterolemia has influences on the number and activity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mononuclear cells were isolated from patients with hypercholesterolemia (n = 20) and age-matched control subjects (n = 20). EPCs were characterized as adherent cells double positive for DiLDL-uptake and lectin binding by direct fluorescent staining under a laser scanning confocal microscope. EPCs proliferation and migration were assayed by MTT assay and modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively. EPCs adhesion assay was performed by replating cells on fibronectin-coated dishes, then counting the adherent cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of EPCs was significantly reduced in patients with hypercholesterolemia as compared with that in control subjects [(41.8 +/- 8.7 vs 64.5 +/- 16.6) EPCs/x 200 fields; P < 0.05] and it was inversely correlated with total cholesterol levels (r = -0.659, P < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol levels (r = -0.611, P < 0.001). In addition, EPCs proliferative, migratory and adhesive capacity were also impaired.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that a novel pathophysiological mechanism of hypercholesterolemia may be defined i.e. reduction of EPCs with decreased functional activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Jun-hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xing-xiang
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jun-zhu
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qian-min
authors.initials: QM
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Jian-hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002452:Cell Count; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology