Correlation Research Of Coronary Calcification And Osteogenic Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between coronary artery calcification and the circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs) expressing an osteogenic phenotype.Methods: We studied 48 patients undergoing coronary CTA in Shanghai Xinhua Hospital. Calcium score(CACS) of coronary artery calcification was quantitative evaluated by CTA. Patients were grouped as light(CACS 0-10, n = 8), moderate(CACS 11-100,n=17) and heavy(CACS>100,=23).Peripheral blood mononuclear cells for CD34,KDR and OCN were analyzed using flow cytometry method.Result:(1) There were significant difference between the presence of circulating EPCs with each group(P <0.05) and the numbers of circulating EPCs in the light group is significantly more than the other two groups( 189.37 ± 91.55, moderate group: 108.18 ± 73.53, severe: 84.22 ± 29.76);(2) The percentage of EPC-OCN in the severe calcification group’s was higher than the other 2 groups but with no significant differences( 48.51 ± 16.72, 28.23 ± 19.09, 20.11 ± 9.32; P> 0.05);(3) multiple regression analysis showed that EPCs numbers is negatively correlated with calcium scores; the percentage of EPC-OCN is positively correlated with calcium score, phosphorus concentration, fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin were positively correlated.Conclusion:Circulating EPCs numbers was significantly reduced in patients with coronary artery calcification, however,a significant increase of EPC-OCN percentages in patients with severe coronary artery calcification was found and is positively correlated to phosphorus, fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin.