Moreover, ESWT and KH-204 treatment restored smooth muscle contents and many parameters related to potency (vascular endothelial growth factor, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS), endothelial [NOS] and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1) compared with the DM group (p<0.05).
The CD34/CD31 index was positively associated with serum triglyceride concentration (Beta: 0.26, p = 0.012) and negatively associated with serum HDL cholesterol concentration (Beta: -0.22, p = 0.027), both independently from age, sex, diabetes duration, BMI, HbA1c value, presence of hypertension, and eGFR.
The immunofluorescence staining of the ischemic tissues showed a 3-fold reduction in CD31 and 4-fold reduction in the α <sub>V</sub> β<sub>3</sub> expression in DM vs. non-DM animals.
These results suggest that quantitative and functional defects of CD34+/AC133+/CD31+/CD45dim cells are associated with diabetes and vascular impairment and that this cell type may be a prognostic indicator of CVD and vascular dysfunction.