Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of biomarkers and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for efficacy profile of ezetimibe/simvastatin (VYTO) 10/20 mg and atorvastatin (ATOR) 10 mg therapy. This was a substudy of a multicenter, randomised, open-label 24-week study in hypercholesterolemic patients with documented intermediate coronary lesion not performed by coronary intervention (VYCAT trial). Methods: Eighteen patients (LDL-chloesterol; LDL-C ��� 130mg/dl) with intermediate lesion were enrolled (Age: 61.4짹10.3 year-old, VYTO: n=9, M:F=5:4, ATOR: n=9, M:F=6:3). Before randomization, 100 ml of peripheral blood was obtained for the isolation of mononuclear cells, fresh FACS analysis of cell-surface markers, and culture of peripheral blood-derived stem cells or EPCs. After 24-week therapy (Day 24-week), 100 ml of blood was obtained for fresh FACS and EPCs���culture. Lipid profiles and biomarkers including hs-CRP, oxidized LDL, adiponectin and Apo-B were evaluated at Day 0 and Day 12-week. Results: Baseline clinical demographics, lipid profiles and biomarkers showed no significant differences in both VYTO and ATOR. Total-, HDL-, non HDL-, and LDL-C levels at baseline were as follows 223.7짹21.9, 53.2짹12.2, 169.9짹18.6, and 145.9짹10.9 mg/dl. Hs-CRP, oxidized LDL, adiponectin and Apo-B at baseline were as follows 1.69짹1.85 mg/L, 64.8짹17.6 U/I, 9596짹6242 ng/mL, and 101.4짹18.2 mg/L. At Day 12-week, Total-, non HDL-, and LDL-C, oxidized LDL and Apo-B levels were significantly decreased (p<0.001). But no significant differences were observed in both VYTO and ATOR. Reduction of hs-CRP in VYTO showed no significant change compared to ATRO. At Day 24-week compared to Day 0, the early stem cells such as AC133(+)/KDR(+), CD34(+)/AC133(+), KDR(+)/CD34(+) cells and endothelial-linage progenitors such as CD31(+)/VE-cadherin(+), CD14(+)/VE-cadherin(+), CD31(+)/vWF(+) cells were more detected in VYTO than in ATOR, but not significant differences. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the effects of ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/20 mg for biomarkers and EPCs-mobilization are not inferior to atorvastatin 10 mg in hypercholesterolemic patients with intermediate coronary lesion.