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Endothelial progenitor cells are related to glycemic control in children with type 1 diabetes over time

Thomas Hörtenhuber1, Birgit Rami-Mehar, Miriam Satler

  • 1Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna and Vienna General Hospital, Vienna, Austria.

Diabetes Care
|January 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are reduced in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Improved glycemic control correlated with increased EPCs, suggesting a potential mechanism for reducing cardiovascular risk in T1DM patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) significantly elevates cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in young adults.
  • Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucial for vascular health and predict CVD outcomes in non-diabetic populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate EPC levels in children with T1DM.
  • To determine the relationship between EPCs and T1DM characteristics, particularly glycemic control.

Main Methods:

  • An observational cohort study included 190 children (156 T1DM, 34 controls), matched for age and sex.
  • EPCs were quantified using flow cytometry at baseline and after 1 year.
  • Changes in EPCs and glycemic control (HbA1c) were analyzed longitudinally.

Main Results:

  • Children with T1DM exhibited significantly lower EPC counts compared to controls.
  • Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was the strongest independent predictor of reduced EPCs.
  • Improved glycemic control over 1 year was associated with a significant increase in EPC numbers, while worsening control led to a decrease.

Conclusions:

  • This prospective study is the first to show diminished EPCs in pediatric T1DM.
  • The findings suggest that improved glycemic control may enhance EPC function, potentially mitigating the elevated cardiovascular risk in children with T1DM.
Abstract

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