Relation between number of endothelial progenitor cells and Alzheimer' s disease

Objective To study such clinical characteristics as number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), cerebral blood flow velocity (CAFV) and platelet count in patients with Alzheimer' s disease (AD). Methods A total of 78 patients were recruited from the outpatient and inpatient departments of our hospital. Patients with AD (n=23), patients with vascular dementia (VaD,n=25) and healthy elderly controls with normal cognition (n=30) were enrolled after matching for clinical data, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The CAFV was examined with transcranial Doppler (TCD). Peripheral blood EPCs were counted by flow cytometry.Results No statistical significant differences were noted between patients with AD and VaD, and controls on gender, age, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, platelet and IMT (P＞0.05). Compared with those in control group, the number of circulating EPCs and scores of MMSE and CAFV in patients with AD and VaD were significantly decreased (P＜0.05). After the adjustment of traditional risk factors, thc number of circulating EPCs had a positive correlation with the scores of MMSE (r=0.541, P=0.000). Liner regression analyses showed that body mass index, diastolic pressure,platelet and scores of MMSE were positively correlated to the circulating EPCs number in patients with AD (P＜0.05). Conclusion The reduction of number of circulating EPCs, decreasing the repair capability of cerebrovasculars and inducing poor cerebral perfusion, plays important roles in the cognitive dysfunction of patients with AD. Key words: Alzheimer's disease;  Dementia, vascular;  Endothelial progenitor cell