Association between circulating CD34-positive cell count and height loss among older men

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Science
• Hematology

Background:

• Height loss in middle age is a significant predictor of cardiovascular disease mortality.
• Impaired blood flow, a key factor in cardiovascular disease, is linked to reduced microcirculation.
• Hematopoietic stem cells, specifically CD34-positive cells, are crucial for maintaining microcirculation through endothelial repair and angiogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between circulating CD34-positive cell count and height loss.
• To determine if CD34-positive cell count is an independent predictor of height loss.

Main Methods:

• A 2-year follow-up study was conducted on 363 Japanese men aged 60-69 years.
• Height loss was defined as being in the highest quartile of height decrease per year.
• Circulating CD34-positive cell counts were analyzed in relation to height changes, adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Results:

• A significant inverse association was found between circulating CD34-positive cell count and height loss.
• The fully adjusted odds ratio for height loss was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.74) for lower CD34-positive cell counts.
• This association remained significant even after accounting for known cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Reduced circulating CD34-positive cell count may contribute to height loss.
• A diminished capacity to maintain microcirculation, potentially due to fewer CD34-positive cells, could be a factor in age-related height reduction.
• These findings suggest a link between stem cell function and skeletal changes associated with aging.