Growth-factor therapy improves endothelial cell production and mobility in arteri...( g endothelial progenitor cells. The...),Health

The researchers found that the GM-CSF treatment increased total leucocyte (white-blood cell) count and the total number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells. Patients who received the growth factor therapy also experienced an improvement in the ability to walk without pain. They found no significant difference in results between the three dosage groups. The placebo group experienced no improvement after therapy.

The Emory team was led by principal investigator Arshed Quyyumi, MD, professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, and cardiology fellow Veerappan Suramaniyam, MD.

"This research demonstrates that growth factor therapy can improve endothelial dysfunction and suggests that endothelial progenitor cells, by enhancing repair, may contribute to endothelial healing," said Dr. Quyyumi. "Our next step will be to continue studying whether stem cell mobilization can be used to improve vascular function and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

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Contact: Holly Korschun
hkorsch@emory.edu
404-727-3990
Emory University Health Sciences Center
12-Mar-2006