Decreased circulating endothelial progenitor cell levels and function in essential hypertensive patients with...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Hypertension Studies
• Endothelial Biology

Background:

• Essential hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common complication of hypertension.
• Endothelial dysfunction plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of hypertensive cardiovascular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in hypertensive patients.
• To evaluate the levels of endothelial apoptotic microparticles in hypertensive patients with and without LVH.
• To explore the role of EPCs and microparticles in the pathophysiology of hypertensive LVH.

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometry was used to quantify circulating EPC markers (CD34(+)CD133(+), CD34(+)KDR(+)) and endothelial apoptotic microparticles (CD31(+)/annexin V(+)).
• LVH was diagnosed using electrocardiogram (ECG) based on the Cornell voltage criteria.
• Peripheral blood samples were analyzed from 128 hypertensive patients (21 with LVH, 107 without LVH).

Main Results:

• Hypertensive patients with LVH exhibited significantly decreased circulating EPC numbers and impaired EPC adhesive function compared to those without LVH.
• While endothelial apoptotic microparticles were numerically higher in the LVH group, the difference was not statistically significant.
• Patients with LVH had a higher urine albumin excretion rate than those without LVH.

Conclusions:

• Electrocardiographic evidence of LVH in essential hypertension is associated with reduced circulating EPC numbers and function.
• These alterations in EPCs may contribute to the endothelial injury observed in hypertensive patients with LVH.
• The findings provide insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms linking hypertension, LVH, and cardiovascular disease.