Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells were Decreased in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by insulin resistance which promotes endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are new markers of endothelial dysfunction. Decreased EPCs may reflect impaired endogenous regenerative capacity, but there are few studies discussing the relationship between MetS and EPCs. We aim to measure circulating levels of EPCs in patients with MetS. Methods: The study was performed at Qinhuangdao First Hospital. Healthy controls (n = 57) and patients with MetS (n = 56) were included in the study. EPCs were enumerated in fasting blood by KDR/CD34 dual positivity. Results: Patients with MetS had a significantly decreased level of circulating EPCs (51.47 +/- 22.34 count/10(5)) compared to healthy control (70.67 +/- 22.35 count/10(5)) (p < 0.01). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.855, 95% CI: 1.072 - 4.601, p = 0.036), HOMA-IR (OR: 2.528, 95% CI: 1.173 - 5.452, p = 0.001), and CRP (OR: 1.174, 95% CI: 0.979 - 1.408, p = 0.039) were independent predictors of declined EPCs. Conclusions: Circulating EPCs were decreased in patients with MetS; BMI, insulin resistance, and CRP could predict the decline in EPCs.