Circulating endothelial cells as potential markers of the state of the endothelium in hemodialysis XXXX .

@entity1 @entity101 @entity6 @entity740 @entity731 @entity65
BACKGROUND: @entity1 with @entity740 ( @entity740 ) are at high risk for @entity65 ( @entity65 ). In addition to the same epidemiological risk factors of the general population, factors unique or secondary to the uremic milieu may contribute to excess @entity65 and mortality. Recent studies suggest the endothelium has a key role in the development of @entity731 . Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) may be a tool to study the state of the endothelium, with their number markedly increased in conditions associated with a high degree of endothelial cell activation and/or injury. Our hypothesis is that CEC number increases in diseases that commonly progress to stage 5 @entity740 , as well as in @entity1 on hemodialysis (HD) therapy, reflecting ongoing endothelial cell activation and/or injury. METHODS: The study population consisted of 22 healthy nonsmoking individuals, 29 individuals undergoing long-term HD treatment, 10 individuals with the diagnosis of @entity6 and stage 1 or 2 @entity740 , and 7 individuals with @entity101 and stage 1 or 2 @entity740 . The number of CECs was enumerated in all study groups. RESULTS: We found that CEC number was increased in HD @entity1 , @entity101 @entity1 , and @entity1 with @entity6 compared with healthy individuals. In addition, although CEC number did not accurately reflect the presence of @entity65 , the number was increased significantly in a group of HD @entity1 with active @entity65 , whereas it was decreased significantly in a group of HD @entity1 with stable @entity65 . CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CEC number may reflect @entity65 activity in HD @entity1 , independent of the presence of @entity65 .
