Endothelial progenitor cells inversely correlate with risk factors for coronary artery disease.

In an investigation to find out the relationship between bone marrow–derived circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and coronary artery disease it was found that smokers had significantly reduced levels of EPCs, and that patients with coronary artery disease had reduced levels and functional impairment of EPCs, which also correlated with the risk factors the disease. Their conclusion: “Given the important role of EPCs for neovascularization of ischemic tissue, the decrease of EPC numbers and activity may contribute to impaired vascularization in patients with coronary artery disease.”