Experimental Studies Of Implantation Of Autologous Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) To Promote Neovascularization In Ischemic Myocardium

Objective: To explore the procedures of isolation, cultivation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from peripheral bloods and the feasibility of local EPC transplantation to promote neovascularization in ischemic myocardium. Methods: 10 mL of peripheral blood was obtained from the femoral artery of each Sprague-Dawley (SD)rat. Myocardial ischemia was induced by ligation of murine left anterior descending coronary artery . Immmdiately, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after ligation, autologous EPC from the peripheral blood of each animal injected to ischemic myocardium.In the control groups, specific culture medium was injected. Results: 4 weeks later, capillary density in ischemic myocardium was significantly greater in the group of EPC injection than the control group. Conclusions: These favorable outcomes encourage future clinical trials of catheter-based, intramyocardial transplantation of autologous EPCs in the setting of chronic myocardial ischemia.