Endothelial progenitor cells and arterial functions in the late convalescence period of Kawasaki disease.
OBJECTIVE
The relationship was investigated between endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) level and arterial functions in the convalescence of Kawasaki disease (KD).


METHODS
Sixty-three children were divided into coronary artery lesion (CAL) group (group 1, n = 21), non-CAL group (group 2, n = 20) and control group (group 3, n = 22). EPCs were examined by flow cytometry and arterial functions (flow-mediated dilation [FMD], carotid artery stiffness index [SI]) were measured by ultrasound.


RESULTS
From group 1 to group 3, FMD was 4.5%+/- 1.5%, 9.5%+/- 2.8% and 12.1%+/- 2.3% (p < 0.01 between any two groups); carotid artery SI was 4.10 +/- 0.44, 3.81 +/- 0.50 and 3.59 +/- 0.46 (group 1 vs. group 2, p < 0.05; group 1 vs. group 3, p < 0.01; group 2 vs. group 3, p = 0.142) and the number of EPCs was 2.0 +/- 0.6/microL, 4.2 +/- 0.8/microL, 4.5 +/- 0.7/microL (p < 0.01 for group 1 vs. group 2 and group 1 vs. group 3; group 2 vs. group 3, p = 0.292). Multiple linear regressions analysis and correlation analysis identified that FMD and carotid artery SI were significant determinants of EPCs level and were all independently correlated with EPCs level.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate decreased EPCs are associated with arterial dysfunction in patients with CAL in the convalescence of KD. Our findings suggest EPCs may have a role in alteration of arterial functions.
Liu
Xiao-qin
XQ
Pediatric Heart Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Science of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
Huang
Guo-ying
GY
Liang
Xue-vun
XV
Ma
Xiao-jing
XJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003289:Convalescence; D004548:Elasticity; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography