Abstract 272: Chronic Hyperlipidemia Alters the Population of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Bone Marrow and Peripheral Circulation via Both ROS-dependent and Independent Mechanisms

Background/Aims: Bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) make significant contribution to the function and integrity of vasculature. The number of EPCs is significantly decreased in hyperlipidemic patients. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress were considered an important mechanism for the development of atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemia. The present study was to determine the role of ROS production in the changes of EPC population in chronic hyperlipidemia. Methods and Results: EPC numbers and ROS formation in BM and blood were determined in wild-type (WT) male C57BL/6 mice and hyperlipidemic LDL receptor knockout (LDLR-/-) mice with high fat diet for 4 months. Intracellular blood, extracellular BM and blood ROS production was significantly increased in hyperlipidemic LDLR-/- mice that was effectively blocked with N-acetylcysteine treatment. Hyperlipidemia produced complex changes in EPC populations in BM and blood. The c-Kit+/CD31+ cell number was significantly decreas...