Stem Cell Advances - Christian Drapeau

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Over the past few years a number of studies have demonstrated that an important parameter in the stem cell system of renewal is the number of circulating stem cells. The higher the number of circulating stem cells, the higher the number of stem cells available to migrate in various organs and tissues. As they migrate in tissues, stem cells become cells of that tissue, regenerating the tissue.

For example, the risk of cardiovascular disease was linked to the number of circulating stem cells; less stem cells circulating in the blood was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease¹. It is now known that stem cells are attracted to the heart when the heart is lacking oxygen. As they migrate in the heart, stem cells can differentiate and form new capillaries that bring oxygen and nutrients, reducing the risk of heart attack for example. Similar observations were made with other diseases such as muscular dystrophy where the rate of progression of

the disease has been linked to the number of stem cells circulating in the blood, to the point that the number of circulating stem cells has been shown to be one of the most important predictors of disease progression². Likewise, the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension,^3,4 arthritis,^5,6 atherosclerosis,⁷ lupus erythematosus,^8,9 kidney failure,^10,11,12 and even migraine¹³ have all been linked to a reduction in the number of circulating stem cells.

Therefore, recent studies in the field of stem cells research suggest that the next important parameter in health will not be your cholesterol level, or the level of oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, but the number of circulating stem cells. More stem cells in your blood, the greater your health. So anything that can increase the number of circulating stem cells would contribute to improving your health.

1. Werner N, Kosiol S, Schiegl T, Ahlers P, Walenta K, Link A, Bö'f6hm M, Nickenig G. (2005) Circulating endothelial progenitor cells and cardiovascular outcomes. N Engl J Med. 353(10):999-1007.

2. Marchesi C, Belicchi M, Meregalli M, Farini A, Cattaneo A, Parolini D, Gavina M, Porretti L, D'Angelo MG, Bresolin N, Cossu G, Torrente Y. (2008) Correlation of circulating CD133+ progenitor subclasses with a mild phenotype in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. PLoS ONE. 3(5):e2218.

3. Diller GP, van Eijl S, Okonko DO, Howard LS, Ali O, Thum T, Wort SJ, Bé'e9dard E, Gibbs JS, Bauersachs J, Hobbs AJ, Wilkins MR, Gatzoulis MA, Wharton J. (2008) Circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circulation 117(23):3020-30.

4. Junhui Z, Xingxiang W, Guosheng F, Yunpeng S, Furong Z, Junzhu C. (2008) Reduced number and activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Respir Med. 102(7):1073-9.

5. Herbrig K, Haensel S, Oelschlaegel U, Pistrosch F, Foerster S, Passauer J. (2006) Endothelial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a reduced number and impaired function of endothelial progenitor cells. Ann Rheum Dis. 65(2):157-63.

6. Grisar J, Aletaha D, Steiner CW, Kapral T, Steiner S, Seidinger D, Weigel G, Schwarzinger I, Wolozcszuk W, Steiner G, Smolen JS. (2005) Depletion of endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Circulation. 111(2):204-11.

7. Zhu J, Wang X, Chen J, Sun J, Zhang F. (2006) Reduced number and activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells from patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. Arch Med Res. 37(4):484-9.

8. Westerweel PE, Luijten RK, Hoefer IE, Koomans HA, Derksen RH, Verhaar MC. (2007) Haematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells are deficient in quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Rheum Dis. 66(7):865-70.

9. Moonen JR, de Leeuw K, van Seijen XJ, Kallenberg CG, van Luyn MJ, Bijl M, Harmsen MC. (2007) Reduced number and impaired function of circulating progenitor cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Res Ther. 2007;9(4):R84.

10. Choi JH, Kim KL, Huh W, Kim B, Byun J, Suh W, Sung J, Jeon ES, Oh HY, Kim DK. (2004) Decreased number and impaired angiogenic function of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with chronic renal failure. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 24(7):1246-52.

11. Herbrig K, Pistrosch F, Oelschlaegel U, Wichmann G, Wagner A, Foerster S, Richter S, Gross P, Passauer J. (2004) Increased total number but impaired migratory activity and adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells in patients on long-term hemodialysis. Am J Kidney Dis. 44(5):840-9.

12. Eizawa T, Murakami Y, Matsui K, Takahashi M, Muroi K, Amemiya M, Takano R, Kusano E, Shimada K, Ikeda U. (2003) Circulating endothelial progenitor cells are reduced in hemodialysis patients. Curr Med Res Opin. 19(7):627-33.

13. Lee ST, Chu K, Jung KH, Kim DH, Kim EH, Choe VN, Kim JH, Im WS, Kang L, Park JE, Park HJ, Park HK, Song EC, Lee SK, Kim M, Roh JK. (2008) Decreased number and function of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with migraine. Neurology. 70(17):1510-7.

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