Endothelial progenitor cells and vascular endothelial growth factor after endovascular interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes

Aim . To study the quantity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after endovascular interventions on coronary and peripheral arteries. Materials and methods . We observed 68 patients with stable angina pectoris and critical limb ischaemia, admitted for elective percutaneous coronary intervention and endovascular revascularisation of the lower extremity. The number of CD34+VEGFR2+CD45- and CD34+CD133+CD45- cells and levels of VEGF-A were determined before endovascular intervention and 2–4 days after the surgery. Results . We found that in patients without diabetes, the levels of EPCs increased significantly after endovascular interventions (CD34+VEGFR2+CD45-cells, p 10 years, the levels of EPCs before and after endovascular interventions did not significantly differ. Conclusions . Patients with diabetes exhibited impaired EPC mobilisation after endovascular interventions. Poor glycaemic control and a long duration of diabetes are among the risk factors of EPC mobilisation.