The prostacyclin analogue iloprost increases circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with critical limb ischemia.

摘要: Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) have low levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Iloprost has been demonstrated to stimulate vascular growth factor (VEGF) and promote angiogenesis. We investigated the effects iloprost on EPC in vivo CLI patients. Twenty-three patients stage III IV were treated for four weeks, improving clinical instrumental parameters. Mononuclear isolated from peripheral blood cultured obtain "early" EPC, evaluated counting adherent double positivity acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake Ulex Europaeus lectin at flow cytometry. These also co-expressed monocyte markers CD14 CD45. increased number whole patient population: pre-treatment median: 13,812/ml; range: 1,263-83,648/ml; post-treatment 23,739/ml; 3,385-99,251/ml; p = 0.035, irrespective age, sex, disease or atherosclerosis risk factors. In conclusion, increases vivo. Such an effect may therapeutic relevance.