Impact of age and gender interaction on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPC) in cycling women compared with men and menopausal women.


METHODS
Controlled clinical study.


METHODS
Healthy, nonsmoking volunteers.


METHODS
Twelve women, aged 18-40 years, with regular menstrual cycles, 12 menopausal women, and two groups of 12 age-matched men were recruited. Women did not receive any hormone therapy.


METHODS
Collection of 20 mL of peripheral blood.


METHODS
The number of CEPC, defined as (Lin-/7AAD-/CD34+/CD133+/KDR+) cells per 10(6) mononuclear cells (MNC), was measured by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
The number of CEPC was significantly higher in cycling women than in age-matched men and menopausal women (26.5 per 10(6) MNC vs. 10.5 per 10(6) MNC vs. 10 per 10(6) MNC, respectively). The number of CEPC was similar in menopausal women, age-matched, and young men.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of CEPC is influenced by an age-gender interaction. This phenomenon may explain in part the better vascular repair and relative cardiovascular protection in younger women as compared with age-matched men.
Rousseau
Alexandra
A
Clinical Research Unit (URC-EST) and Department of Pharmacology, AP-HP, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris 6, Paris, France. alexandra_rousseau@yahoo.fr
Ayoubi
Fida
F
Deveaux
Christel
C
Charbit
Beny
B
Delmau
Catherine
C
Christin-Maitre
Sophie
S
Jaillon
Patrice
P
Uzan
Georges
G
Simon
Tabassome
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol