Beneficial influence of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on the endothelium in relation to endothelial repair.

Yuji SHIMIZU; Shin-Ya KAWASHIRI; Hirotomo YAMANASHI; Seiko NAKAMICHI; Naomi HAYASHIDA; Yasuhiro NAGATA; Takahiro MAEDA

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Beneficial influence of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on the endothelium in relation to endothelial repair.

Author: Yuji SHIMIZU ¹ ; Shin-Ya KAWASHIRI ² ; Hirotomo YAMANASHI ¹ ; Seiko NAKAMICHI ¹ ; Naomi HAYASHIDA ³ ; Yasuhiro NAGATA ² ; Takahiro MAEDA ¹
Author Information

1. Department of General Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
2. Department of Community Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
3. Leading Medical Research Core Unit, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Atherosclerosis; CAVI; CD34-positive cell; Endothelial repair; LDL; LDL paradox
MeSH: Humans; Middle Aged; Male; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cholesterol, LDL/blood*; Endothelium, Vascular/physiology*; Antigens, CD34/blood*; Hematopoietic Stem Cells
From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():24-24
CountryJapan
Language:English
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) is regarded as a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction. However, LDLc stimulates the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells (CD34-positive cells), which contribute to endothelial repair. Therefore, LDLc may have a beneficial influence on the endothelium of individuals with lower endothelial repair activity.
METHODS:This cross-sectional study included 245 men aged 60-69 years. Endothelial repair activity was categorized by the circulating levels of CD34-positive cells based on median values. The status of endothelium was evaluated using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).
RESULTS:Among individuals with low levels of circulating CD34-positive cells, LDL-c levels were significantly inversely correlated with CAVI and positively correlated with circulating CD34-positive cells. No significant correlations were observed among the participants with high levels of circulating CD34-positive cells. Among low levels of CD34-positive cells, the adjusted standardized parameter (β) and p value were -0.24 (p = 0.021) for CAVI and 0.41 (p < 0.001) for CD34-positive cells, whereas among high levels of CD34-positive cells, the corresponding values were 0.03 (p = 0.738) and -0.09 (p = 0.355).
CONCLUSION:LDLc has a beneficial influence on endothelial health among individuals with low endothelial repair activity, possibly by stimulating the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells.