Type 1 Diabetes Patients With Different Residual Beta-Cell Function but Similar Age, HBA1c, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Have Differing Exercise-Induced Angiogenic Cell Mobilisation

Many individuals with type 1 diabetes retain residual beta-cell function. Sustained endogenous insulin and C-peptide secretion is associated with reduced diabetes related complications, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Lower circulating numbers of endothelial and hematopoietic progenitor cells (EPCs and HPCs), and the inability to increase the count of these cells in response to exercise, are also associated with increased diabetes complications and cardiovascular disease. It is unknown whether residual beta-cell function influences HPCs and EPCs. Thus, this study examined the influence of residual beta-cell function in type 1 diabetes upon exercise-induced changes in haematopoietic (HPCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Participants with undetectable stimulated C-peptide (n=11; Cpep ), 10 high C-peptide (Cpep ; >200 pmol/L), and 11 non-diabetes controls took part in this observational exercise study, completing 45 minutes of intensive walking at 60% . Clinically significant HPCs (CD34 ) and EPCs (CD34 VEGFR2 ) phenotypes for predicting future adverse cardiovascular outcomes, and subsequent cell surface expression of chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and 7 (CXCR7), were enumerated at rest and immediately post-exercise by flow cytometry. Exercise increased HPCs and EPCs phenotypes similarly in the Cpep and control groups (+34-121% across phenotypes, p