Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
Isolation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Blood
Published on: September 14, 2017
The effect of statins on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in humans: a systematic review
Benjamin Hibbert1, Trevor Simard, F Daniel Ramirez
1*Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; †Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; ‡Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and §Division of Cardiology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary.
Insights
Statins may mobilize endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), contributing to cardiovascular event reduction beyond lipid lowering. Further research with standardized definitions is needed to confirm this effect.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Statins offer cardiovascular benefits beyond lipid reduction.
- Pleiotropic effects include anti-inflammatory actions, plaque stabilization, and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) mobilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review evidence on statin-induced EPC mobilization in humans.
- To assess the impact of statin therapy and dosage on circulating EPC levels.
Main Methods:
- Computerized literature search and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
- Inclusion criteria focused on studies evaluating statin effects on EPC numbers.
- Analysis of 10 studies (479 patients) published between 2005 and 2011.
Main Results:
- Seven studies compared statins to non-statins; three compared low-dose to high-dose statins.
- Reported increases in EPC numbers ranged from 25.8% to 223.5% (median 70.2%) versus non-statins.
- Seven of ten studies found statistically significant increases in EPCs.
Conclusions:
- Human randomized studies suggest statin therapy mobilizes EPCs into circulation.
- Heterogeneity in patient populations, statin regimens, and EPC definitions noted.
- Larger trials with uniform definitions are required to confirm statin-induced EPC mobilization.
Abstract:
Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated early reductions in cardiovascular events occurring independently of the lipid-lowering effects of statins. These pleiotropic effects have been attributed to antiinflammatory properties, to atherosclerotic plaque stabilization, and more recently to mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Our aim was to evaluate the evidence supporting statin-induced EPC mobilization in humans. We, therefore, performed a computerized literature search and systematic review of randomized trials to determine the effect of statin therapy and statin dosing on circulating EPC numbers. Our literature search identified 10 studies including 479 patients which met inclusion criteria with publication dates ranging from 2005 to 2011. Seven studies compared statin to nonstatin regimens whereas 3 studied low versus high-dose statin therapy. Reported increases in EPC number ranged from 25.8% to 223.5% with a median reported increase of 70.2% when compared to nonstatin regimens with 7 of 10 studies reporting significant increases. Considerable heterogeneity exists in regard to patient population, statin regimens, and the definition of an EPC within the identified studies. In conclusion, randomized studies in humans suggest that statin therapy mobilizes EPCs into the circulation. Larger randomized studies using uniform definitions are needed to definitively establish this effect.
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