Pharmacological approaches to improve endothelial repair mechanisms

Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2008 Sep;6(8):1071-82. doi: 10.1586/14779072.6.8.1071.

Abstract

Endothelial injury is thought to play a pivotal role in the development and progression of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension or restenosis, as well as their complications, including myocardial infarction or stroke. Accumulating evidence suggests that bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) promote endothelial repair and contribute to ischemia-induced neovascularization. Coronary artery disease and its risk factors, such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and smoking, are associated with a reduced number and impaired functional activity of circulating EPCs. Moreover, initial data suggest that reduced EPC levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction and an increased risk of cardiovascular events, compatible with the concept that impaired EPC-mediated vascular repair promotes progression of vascular disease. In this review we summarize recent data on the effects of pharmacological agents on mobilization and functional activity of EPCs. In particular, several experimental and clinical studies have suggested that statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, PPAR-gamma agonists and erythropoietin increase the number and functional activity of EPCs. The underlying mechanisms remain largely to be defined; however, they likely include activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, as well as inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase activity of progenitor cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AC133 Antigen
  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / pharmacology
  • Antigens, CD34 / blood
  • Atherosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Benzopyrans / pharmacology
  • Carbazoles / pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Carvedilol
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Coronary Disease / physiopathology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / injuries*
  • Erythropoietin / pharmacology
  • Ethanolamines / pharmacology
  • Glycoproteins / pharmacology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Insulin / pharmacology
  • Nebivolol
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • PPAR gamma / agonists
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Propanolamines / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Angiotensin / drug effects
  • Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Risk Factors
  • Rosiglitazone
  • Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Thiazolidinediones / pharmacology
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • AC133 Antigen
  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, CD34
  • Benzopyrans
  • Carbazoles
  • Ethanolamines
  • Glycoproteins
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • PPAR gamma
  • Peptides
  • Propanolamines
  • Receptors, Angiotensin
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nebivolol
  • Rosiglitazone
  • Carvedilol
  • Erythropoietin