The significance of circulating progenitor cells with osteogenic activity in the of atherosclerosis development in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND : There is an interaction between cell-mediated pathway of the vessel calcification and atherosclerosis processes. In some studies the relation beeen circulating osteogenic progenitor cells and cardiovascular diseases was shown. Though its role in the development of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unknown. AIM : To study the level of circulating endothelial (CD34 + VEGFR2 +) and osteogenic (CD34 + OCN +) progenitor cells in patients with CVD and T2DM. METHODS : We observed patients with CVD (coronary artery disease and / or chronic limb threatening ischemia) with T2DM and without T2DM. Patients with CVD and T2DM were included in group 1 patients with CVD and without T2D were included in group 2. The level of CD34 + VEGFR2 cells and CD34 + OCN+ cells was determined by flow cytometry.There were no differences in the age, gender, lipid profile, body mass index, creatinine clearance, myocardial revascularization and lower limb revascularization between the 2 groups.The level of CD34 + VEGFR2 cells and CD34 + OCN+ cells was determined by flow cytometry. The number of cells was determined by a percentage of the number of CD34+ cells. RESULTS : We observed 71 patients (38 women, mean age 67 years [62, 74]). Forty six patients were included in group 1 (28 women, mean age 68 years [63;75], 25 patients (10 women, 66 years [55;72]) were included in group 2. We found that in patients with CVD and T2DM demonstrated higher amounts of CD34+OCN+ cells than CD34+VEGFR2+ cells. (29.7% [26.2;36.1] and 11.8% [9.57;17.2], p<0.001). In the 1st group observed higher amounts of CD34+OCN+ cells, than in the 2d group (29.7 [26.2;36.1] и 25.6 [17.3;30.7] соответственно; p=0.035). Positive correlation was established between amount of CD34+OCN+ cells and atherogenic lipid fraction, LDL (r=0.4; р=0.032) and total cholesterol (r=0.27; р=0.05) in patients of group 1.While SYNTAX score tertiles and amount of CD34+OCN+ cells (r = 0.50, p=0.021) were the positive correlation. Between coronary artery calcium score and amount of CD34+OCN+ cells (r = 0.49, p=0.034) was the positive correlation. CONCLUSIONS : Acquired results may indicate the active role of CD34+OCN+ endothelial progenitor cells in atherosclerosis and vascular calcification in patients with T2DM.