title: Modulation of endothelial progenitor cell number and function with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
abstract: Endothelial dysfunction is pivotal in atherosclerosis. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) predict cardiovascular events and could serve as a cellular biomarker of endothelial function. Epidemiological studies suggest the benefits of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), mainly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on cardiovascular health. However, there is a paucity of data on the effect of n-3 PUFA on EPC number and functionality. Incubation with DHA and EPA, either alone or in combination significantly increased the number of EPCs and colony forming units (CFU). In addition, co-incubation with DHA + EPA, significantly enhanced EPC migratory capacity, adhesive properties and greater incorporation into tubules. Thus, EPA + DHA are effective in improving EPC number and functionality in-vitro. Future studies will test the effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on EPC number and function in-vivo and will elucidate plausible mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Sridevi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Devaraj
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Bhavana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Xinpu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ishwarlal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jialal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid