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Effects of plasma adiponectin levels on the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND
It is not known whether plasma adiponectin levels are associated with the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).


METHODS AND RESULTS
Plasma levels of adiponectin were measured in 70 patients undergoing coronary angiography. The numbers of colony-forming units (CFUs) of EPCs and senescent EPCs, determined by acidic beta-galactosidase staining, were counted. The angiogenic growth factors in the culture medium were also measured. There was a significant positive correlation between adiponectin level and CFUs (r=0.257, p<0.05) but not with the occurrence of senescent EPCs. Next, patients were divided into a high adiponectin group (high ADP: > or =6.17 microg/ml, n=36) and low adiponectin group (low ADP: <6.17 microg/ml, n=34). The number of diseased coronary arteries was less in the high ADP group than that in the low ADP patients (1.7+/-0.8 vs 2.1+/-0.7, p<0.05). No significant differences between the 2 groups were demonstrated in angiogenic growth factors secreted from EPCs.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that plasma adiponectin levels are associated with the number of EPCs in patients with CAD.