title: Endothelial progenitor cells, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle modifications.
abstract: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute substantially to preservation of a structurally and functionally intact endothelium. EPCs home in to the sites of endothelial injury and ischemia, where they proliferate, differentiate and integrate into the endothelial layer or exert a paracrine function by producing vascular growth factors. This review will focus on successful lifestyle interventions that aim to maintain vascular health through beneficial actions on cell populations with vasculogenic potential. The results of the studies proving the role of healthy lifestyle are particularly emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Patologia Chirurgica, Medica, Molecolare e dell' Area Critica, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy. r.distefano@ao-pisa.toscana.it
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Stefano
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Felice
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feriani
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balbarini
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D012307:Risk Factors; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*