Abstract 5060: The Effect of Aggressive Dietary Intervention on Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function in High Risk Cardiovascular Patients

Secondary prevention strategies aimed at the reduction of modifiable risk factors can improve outcomes and improve prognosis in high risk cardiovascular patients. Reduced endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) number and functionality, as observed in type II diabetes, reflects increased cardiac risk but nutritional modulation may positively influence endothelial function. Therefore, we hypothesize that an aggressive dietary intervention, the modified Portfolio Diet, would increase the number and/or functionality of EPCs in diabetic patients post-CABG. Methods: 22 patients with type II diabetes, 6 weeks post bypass surgery received detailed individualized dietary counseling on the modified Portfolio Diet: a low cholesterol, low saturated fat diet that includes viscous fibres (8g/1000 kcal as psyllium and β-glucan), soy protein (17g/1000kcal) and almonds (22g/1000kcal). EPCs were isolated by Ficol gradient prior to study entry and at study completion (week 0 vs. week 4) and cultured on fibronectin coated culture...