OBJECTIVE: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are implicated as an important marker of
endothelial function and cardiovascular risk. In the present study, we examined whether
high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol plays a role in the peripheral EPC levels and its
underlying mechanisms in the HDL cholesterol-induced elevation of EPCs. METHODS: For
the clinical study, vascular risk factors and blood markers were measured and EPC colony
forming units were counted after 7 days of culture. For the in vitro study, after 7 days of …