Vitamin D concentrations, endothelial progenitor cells, and cardiovascular risk factors

Our study aimed to establish the association of vitamin D status with the level of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) and to demonstrate the effect of vitamin D on the level of lipoproteins responsible for increased cardiovascular risk and high blood pressure. 41 healthy adults were selected. EPCs were defined as CD34+/KDR+ cells, and CACs were defined as cells that expressed endothelial markers after incubation of mononuclear blood cells with endothelial growth factors during 5 days. We found a positive association between EPCs, CACs and the level of vitamin D and an inverse correlation between several subclasses of lipoproteins. The level of vitamin D higher than 40 ng/ml demonstrated a positive effect on regulation of blood pressure, and there was significant difference in cholesterol/HDL ratio, very low-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides for groups of subjects with varying levels of vitamin D.