Circulating endothelial progenitor cells: a new approach to anti-aging medicine?
Endothelial dysfunction is associated with major causes of morbidity and mortality, as well as numerous age-related conditions. The possibility of preserving or even rejuvenating endothelial function offers a potent means of preventing/treating some of the most fearful aspects of aging such as loss of mental, cardiovascular, and sexual function.Endothelial precursor cells (EPC) provide a continual source of replenishment for damaged or senescent blood vessels. In this review we discuss the biological relevance of circulating EPC in a variety of pathologies in order to build the case that these cells act as an endogenous mechanism of regeneration. Factors controlling EPC mobilization, migration, and function, as well as therapeutic interventions based on mobilization of EPC will be reviewed. We conclude by discussing several clinically-relevant approaches to EPC mobilization and provide preliminary data on a food supplement, Stem-Kine, which enhanced EPC mobilization in human subjects.
Mikirova
Nina A
NA
Bio-Communications Research Institute, Wichita, Kansas, USA. nmikirova@brightspot.org
Jackson
James A
JA
Hunninghake
Ron
R
Kenyon
Julian
J
Chan
Kyle W H
KW
Swindlehurst
Cathy A
CA
Minev
Boris
B
Patel
Amit N
AN
Murphy
Michael P
MP
Smith
Leonard
L
Alexandrescu
Doru T
DT
Ichim
Thomas E
TE
Riordan
Neil H
NH
D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*