title: Lercanidipine effect on circulating CD34+ progenitor cells in elderly patients: a randomized study.
abstract: This randomized study evaluates the effects of lercanidipine - as well as its antihypertensive efficacy - on the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in elderly patients with hypertension.
  
  
  
  In total, 61 patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to lercanidipine 10 mg/day or to other antihypertensive treatments (control group).
  
  
  
  Cytometry analysis was conducted at baseline, at 12 weeks and at 24 weeks. Routine clinical examination was also performed.
  
  
  
  Overall, the number of circulating EPCs had already significantly increased with lercanidipine, compared with baseline values, after 12 weeks; this increase was sustained until the end of the study. On the other hand, the number of circulating EPCs remained stable in the control group throughout the study period. At 12 weeks, a significant reduction in blood pressure, compared with baseline values, was observed in both groups. Regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation between systolic blood pressure and the number of circulating EPCs.
  
  
  
  Although the limited number of patients and the short follow-up hamper the analysis, this study suggests that lercanidipine may increase EPC concentration independently from its anti-hypertensive effect.
authors: a Department of Geratology , Renji Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
authors: Shen
authors: S
authors: Peixiao
authors: a Department of Geratology , Renji Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
authors: Fang
authors: F
authors: Ningyuan
authors: a Department of Geratology , Renji Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
authors: Wang
authors: W
authors: Haiya
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004095:Dihydropyridines; C060343:lercanidipine
keywords: Aging; CD34+ progenitor cells; Hematopoietic progenitor cells; Hypertension; Lercanidipine