International Journal of Stem Cells  2016;9(1):137-144

doi:10.15283/ijsc.2016.9.1.137

Severe Type 2 Diabetes Induces Reversible Modifications of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Which are Ameliorate by Glycemic Control.

Maria Rosaria DE PASCALE 1 ; Giuseppe BRUZZESE ; Ettore CRIMI ; Vincenzo GRIMALDI ; Antonio LIGUORI ; Sergio BRONGO ; Michelangela BARBIERI ; Antonietta PICASCIA ; Concetta SCHIANO ; Linda SOMMESE ; Nicola FERRARA ; Giuseppe PAOLISSO ; Claudio NAPOLI

Affiliations

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Keywords

Type 2 diabetes; Endothelial progenitor cells; Vascular disease; Regenerative medicine

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Circulating endothelial progenitors cells (EPCs) play a critical role in neovascularization and endothelial repair. There is a growing evidence that hyperglycemia related to Diabetes Mellitus (DM) decreases EPC number and function so promoting vascular complications. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated whether an intensive glycemic control regimen in Type 2 DM can increase the number of EPCs and restores their function. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with Type 2 DM were studied. Patients were tested at baseline and after 3 months of an intensive regimen of glycemic control. The Type 2 DM group was compared to control group of subjects without diabetes. Patients with Type 2 DM (mean age 58.2±5.4 years, 25.6% women, disease duration of 15.4±6.3 years) had a baseline HgA1c of 8.7±0.5% and lower EPC levels (CD34+/KDR+) in comparison to healthy controls (p<0.01). RESULTS: The intensive glycemic control regimen (HgA1c decreased to 6.2±0.3%) was coupled with a significant increase of EPC levels (mean of 18%, p<0.04 vs. baseline) and number of EPCs CFUs (p<0.05 vs. baseline). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that number and bioactivity of EPCs are reduced in patients with Type 2 DM and, most importantly, that the intensive glycemic control in Type 2 DM promotes EPC improvement both in their number and in bioactivity.