Reduced circulating endothelial progenitor cell number in healthy young adult hyperinsulinemic men
A Dei Cas1, V Spigoni, D Ardigò
1Department of Internal Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Parma, Italy. alessandra.deicas@unipr.it
Insights
Male gender is an independent predictor of lower Endothelial Progenitor Cell (EPC) levels in healthy individuals. Reduced EPC counts in males may be linked to insulin resistance, potentially explaining higher cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Endothelial Biology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) are emerging biomarkers for cardiovascular (CV) disease.
- Determinants of EPC levels in healthy individuals without overt CV or metabolic issues are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the primary clinical factors influencing EPC counts in healthy subjects with normal glucose tolerance.
- To assess the relationship between EPC levels and various clinical and biochemical parameters.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to quantify EPCs (co-expressing CD133/CD34/KDR antigens) in 122 healthy subjects.
- Blood samples were analyzed for biochemical variables, and Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests (OGTT) were performed.
- Insulin resistance was defined based on fasting plasma insulin (FPI) levels.
Main Results:
- EPC counts showed inverse correlations with BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, uric acid, PAI-1, and FPI, and a direct correlation with HDL cholesterol.
- Male gender was identified as the sole independent predictor of lower EPC counts.
- Insulin-resistant males exhibited significantly lower EPC levels compared to insulin-sensitive males, with no such difference observed in females.
Conclusions:
- Male gender independently predicts lower EPC levels in healthy individuals, potentially contributing to higher male CV risk.
- Reduced EPC numbers in males appear associated with insulin resistance.
- These findings highlight gender-specific factors influencing EPC levels and CV risk in apparently healthy populations.
Background And Aims:
The number of Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) is considered a novel marker of cardiovascular (CV) disease. It is not clear which are the main determinants of EPC number in apparently healthy subjects in the absence of overt clinical CV or metabolic abnormalities. We evaluated the main clinical determinants of EPC levels in a population of healthy subjects with normal glucose tolerance.
Methods And Results:
EPC number was determined in 122 healthy subjects (73M/49F;36.6 ± 8yrs). Blood samples were collected to test biochemical variables. OGTT was performed and insulin resistance/compensatory hyperinsulinemia was defined according to fasting plasma insulin (FPI) levels. EPCs were identified as cells co-expressing CD133/CD34/KDR antigens by flow-cytometry. CD133(+)/KDR(+) count inversely correlated with BMI (rho=-0.18;p < 0.05), waist circumference (-0.2;<0.05), diastolic (-0.23;<0.01) and systolic blood pressure (-0.21;<0.05), uric acid (-0.24;<0.005), PAI-1 (-0.197; <0.05) and FPI (-0.2;<0.05) and directly correlated with HDL cholesterol (0.182;<0.05). CD34(+)/CD133(+)/KDR(+) count inversely correlated with uric acid (-0.28;<0.005) and FPI (-0.2;<0.05). EPC number was lower in males (p < 0.05) and gender was the only independent predictor of EPC count (p < 0.05). By dividing the population in four subgroups based on gender and insulin resistance, CD133(+)/KDR(+) levels were lower in insulin resistant compared to insulin sensitive males (p < 0.05) with no differences in females.
Conclusion:
The male gender is an independent predictor of low EPC levels in healthy subjects. This might contribute to explaining the higher CV risk in males compared to pre-menopausal age-matched females. In this study a reduced EPC number seems to be associated with insulin resistance in male subjects.
