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Impact of depression on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a pilot

Rossella Di Stefano1, Francesca Felice, Stefano Pini

  • 1aDepartment of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critic Area bDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Sector, University of Pisa, Pisa cUnit of Cardiology, Ospedale S. Andrea, La Spezia dCardio-Respiratory Department, Ospedale Campo di Marte, Lucca eUnit of Cardiology, USL5 Sarzana (SP), Italy *Rossella Di Stefano and Francesca Felice contributed equally to the writing of this article.

Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine (Hagerstown, Md.)
|April 2, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Major depressive episode (MDE) significantly reduces circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. This suggests MDE impairs the body's natural repair mechanisms following cardiac events, potentially worsening patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Depression is a known risk factor for poor prognosis and survival in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.
  • Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucial for vascular repair and predict clinical outcomes in ACS.
  • The relationship between depression and EPC levels in ACS patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of major depressive episode (MDE) on the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Main Methods:

  • Studied 74 ACS patients (36 with MDE) and control groups.
  • Defined and quantified EPCs (CD34CD133KDR) using flow cytometry.
  • Conducted standardized cardiological and psychopathological evaluations.

Main Results:

  • ACS patients with MDE had significantly lower circulating EPC numbers compared to those without MDE (P < 0.001).
  • This reduction in EPCs was observed in both ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) subgroups.
  • Results indicate MDE is associated with diminished EPC levels in ACS patients.

Conclusions:

  • Major depressive episode is associated with a reduced number of circulating EPCs in ACS patients.
  • This suggests that MDE may impair the bone marrow's response to acute ischemic events.
  • Reduced EPCs in depressed ACS patients may compromise their reparative capacity and protection, potentially leading to worse clinical outcomes.
Abstract

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