Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: The Effect of Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy

  1. Lookup NU author(s)
  2. Dr Shaikh Abdul Shakoor
  3. Dr Ali Aldibbiat
  4. Lorna Ingoe
  5. Dr Susan Campbell
  6. Dr Latika Sibal
  7. Professor James Shaw
  8. Professor Philip Home
  9. Dr Salman Razvi
  10. Dr Jolanta Weaver
Author(s)Shakoor SKA, Aldibbiat A, Ingoe LE, Campbell SC, Sibal L, Shaw J, Home PD, Razvi S, Weaver JU
Publication type Article
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Year2010
Volume95
Issue1
Pages319-322
ISSN (print)0021-972X
ISSN (electronic)1945-7197
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Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is associated with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, and possibly CV disease. However, its management remains controversial. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), expressing both endothelial and stem cell markers, are known to offer a novel CV risk marker. Objective: The aim of the study was to ascertain whether EPC count or function is reduced in SCH and whether it improves with T4 therapy. Design and Intervention: EPC were studied in peripheral blood by fluorescence-activated cell sorter and following in vitro cultures before and after T4 together with CV risk factors in 20 SCH and healthy controls (HC). Main Outcome Measure: EPC count was measured at baseline and after T4 replacement in SCH. Results: EPC count was significantly reduced in SCH compared to HC: median (range)-CD133+/VEGFR-2+, 0.09 (0.02-0.44) vs. 0.47 (0.17-2.12), P < 0.001; CD34+/VEGFR-2+, 0.10 (0.04-0.46) vs. 0.39 (0.11-2.13), P < 0.001; whereas EPC function was similar. There was a significant positive correlation between CD133+/VEGFR-2+ with free T4 levels (r = 0.38; P = 0.02); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r = 0.51; P = 0.001); and negative correlation with TSH concentrations (r = -0.64; P < 0.001). After adjustment for conventional CV risk factors, SCH predicted lower EPC count, beta coefficient/P value: CD133+/VEGFR-2+ (-0.77/<0.001), and CD34+/VEGFR-2+ (-0.71/<0.001). In SCH participants, EPC count increased and was similar to HC after T4; CD133+/VEGFR-2+, 0.32 (0.03-0.94) vs. 0.09 (0.02-0.44), P < 0.001; and CD34+/VEGFR-2+, 0.26 (0.06-0.88) vs. 0.10 (0.04-0.46), P < 0.001. Conclusion: SCH predicted lower EPC count, which improved with T4 treatment, independent of other CV risk factors, providing additional evidence that T4 replacement may improve CV risk in SCH.
PublisherThe Endocrine Society
URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2009-1421
DOI10.1210/jc.2009-1421
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