The effects of aging on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).

The number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is thought to be a marker for neovascularization and vascular repair. Physical inactivity and aging are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and these factors may influence the numbers of EPCs. This examination of exercise-induced levels of EPCs in sedentary and trained young and older men concluded that advancing age results in lower circulating numbers of EPCs.