ABSTRACT
Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPC) can differentiate into mature endothelial cells as well as play a crucial role in the protection and improvement of vascular endothelium. Based on multivariate regression analysis, there was a strong correlation between the number of circulating EPC and the subjects’ combined Framingham risk factor score. In hyperglycaemia, endothelial damage could occur over time, which may cause both micro- and macro-angiopathic complications. The number of EPC was reduced and was inversely related to levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, hypercholesterolemic patients had lower EPC score compared to control subjects.
