AimTo explore changes in the amount and function of the late endothelial progenitor cells(EPC) colonies derived from peripheral blood in patients with coronary heart disease（CHD）.Methods Fifty four cases were divided into CHD group(n=27) and control group(n=27).Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral venous blood with density-gradient centrifugation and were cultured.After 21 days, the late EPC were identified and the late EPC colonies were counted.The late EPC proliferation and migration were assayed by MTT assay and modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively.The late EPC adhesion assay was performed by replating those on fibronectin-coated dishes, then adherent cells were counted.ResultsThe amount of the late EPC colonies （2.5±1.2） were significantly reduced in patients with CHD compared with control subjects（3.8±1.6）(P<0.05) .The function of proliferation， migration and adhesion of the late EPC in CHD group were significantly lower than control group （0.324±0.024 vs 0.433±0.064，9.9±2.5 vs 13.9±4.P>1，2P>1.3±5.1 vs 31.0±7.1）(P<0.05).ConclusionDecreased late colonies amount can be observed in CHD group,and impaired function can be observed.