title: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells correlate with erectile function in patients with coronary heart disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the influence of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) on erectile dysfunction (ED). EPC play a major role in repair mechanisms of the endothelial monolayer, but the role of EPC in ED is unclear.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Circulating levels of CD34(+)/KDR(+) and CD133(+) EPC were determined in 119 patients with known coronary artery disease. ED was evaluated with an ED-score generated from the KEED questionnaire. Prevalence of ED was 59.7%. In univariate analysis, age, hypertension, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), diabetes, and circulating levels of CD133(+) EPC, but not cardiovascular drug treatment were associated with ED. Body mass index (BMI) was positively (r = 0.319, P=0.003) and high-density lipoprotein was negatively (r=-0.246, P=0.034) correlated with ED. Adjustment for age, diabetes, hypertension, BMI, smoking, LVEF, use of statins and lower urinary tract symptoms, and prior coronary intervention revealed low levels of circulating immature CD133(+) EPC as independent risk factor for ED (95% CI -11.183 to -1.7371, P=0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced levels of circulating CD133(+) EPC are an independent risk factor for ED. Thus, EPC may be a link between cardiovascular risk factors, endothelial dysfunction, and ED.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. magnus@baumhaekel.de
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baumhäkel
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Böhm
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nickenig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002452:Cell Count; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*