title: Metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The role of endothelial progenitor cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endothelial dysfunction has been previously described in metabolic syndrome patients. The levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) inversely correlates with the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between NAFLD, metabolic syndrome and EPC levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional pilot study was performed at a university hospital in Mexico. Two groups of patients without previously known chronic diseases were studied and classified according to the presence of NAFLD. Anthropometric, dietary, and biochemical variables, and circulating EPC number were measured and compared between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty subjects were included and classified into two groups: patients with NAFLD (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The overall prevalence of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome was 25% and 17.5%, respectively. EPC levels were found to be higher in the NAFLD group (p < 0.05) as in the patients with insulin resistance (p < 0.01) and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.01). These levels showed correlation with the severity of steatosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with NAFLD have increased levels of EPC, such levels are associated with the severity of NAFLD. These findings may suggest that these cells may play a role in the early natural history of NAFLD. EPC might be increased in an attempt to repair the endothelial damage resulting from metabolic alterations accompanying NAFLD. Further studies are needed to establish the dynamics of these cells in NAFLD.
authors.affiliation: Liver Research Unit. Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation. Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ylse
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Grobe
authors.forename: Juan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Gavilanes-Espinar
authors.forename: Felipe A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Masso-Rojas
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Valle
authors.forename: Araceli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Páez-Arenas
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ponciano-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Norberto C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Chávez-Tapia
authors.forename: Misael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uribe
authors.forename: Nahum
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Méndez-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000097:blood; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins; D010455:Peptides; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; C516769:PTPRC protein, human