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Association between circulating endothelial cells and carotid atherosclerosis in patients receiving maintenance

Kun-ying Zhang1, Hui-lan Liu2, Xiao-feng Duan2

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261041, China.

Biomed Research International
|April 29, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are elevated in hemodialysis patients and correlate with carotid atherosclerosis severity. This finding suggests CECs may indicate atherosclerosis progression in these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Accelerated atherosclerosis is a primary cause of mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.
  • Endothelial injury is a suspected key factor in MHD-related atherosclerosis pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT).
  • To evaluate CECs as a potential marker for carotid atherosclerosis in MHD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 62 MHD patients and 26 healthy controls.
  • Quantified CECs using multiparametric flow cytometry.
  • Assessed CCA-IMT and carotid plaques via ultrasound.

Main Results:

  • MHD patients exhibited higher predialysis CECs counts compared to controls (P = 0.045).
  • CCA-IMT was significantly greater in MHD patients (P < 0.01).
  • A significant positive correlation was found between predialysis CECs and CCA-IMT (P < 0.01), persisting after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated CEC levels are positively associated with CCA-IMT in MHD patients.
  • CECs may serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing carotid atherosclerosis severity in MHD patients.

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