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Findings from J.Y. Luo and co-authors broaden understanding of angiogenesis

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"Growth cytokines-mediated progenitor cell mobilization and associated angiogenesis potential were assessed in a porcine model of hypercholesterolemia. Twenty-four male domestic swines were randomly assigned to 4 groups: normal diet (control, n=6), hypercholesterolemic diet (CHOL, n=6), hypercholesterolemic diet with administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) (rhG-CSF, n=6), and hypercholesterolemic diet with EECP treatment (EECP, n=6). EECP was applied 2 hours every other day for a total of 36 hours. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), peripheral blood progenitor cell counts, level of regional angiogenesis, and expression of VEGF and stromal cell derived factor la (SDF-1 alpha) in porcine myocardium were assessed, respectively. A porcine model of hypercholesterolemia-induced arteriosclerosis was successfully established. There was no significant difference in serum levels of VEGF among the four groups. The serum levels of G-CSF in the EECP group increased significantly at week 15 and week 18 ((38.3 +/- 5.6) pg/ml at week 15 vs (26.2 +/- 3.7) pg/ml at week 12, P<0.05, and (46.9 +/- 6.1) pg/ml at week 18 vs (26.2 +/- 3.7) pg/ml at week 12, P<0.01). The serum levels of G-CSF in group 3 increased also significantly after receiving rhG-CSF injection for five days ((150 +/- 13.9) pg/ml at week 18 vs (24.8 +/- 5.4) pg/ml at week 12, P<0.01). Compared to other groups and other time points, progenitor cell counts increased significantly after 2-hour EECP treatment (108 13 vs 26 6 per 105 leukocytes, P<0.01), but not at week 18. The progenitor cell counts also increased significantly after subcutaneous injection of rhG-CSF for five days compared to the week 12 (baseline) (180 +/- 21 vs 25 +/- 7 per 10(5) leukocytes, P<0.01). There was no significant difference among the four groups at other time points. Moreover, the expression of VEGF and SDF-1 alpha and the level of regional angiogenesis in myocardium increased significantly in both EECP and rhG-CSF groups. The results demonstrated that EECP could facilitate angiogenesis in the myocardiurn of atherosclerotic swines by increasing endogenous G-CSF, inducing an enhanced mobilization of progenitor cells and augmenting myocardial expression of VEGF and SDF-1 alpha," wrote J.Y. Luo and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "Chin Med J 2009,-122(10):1188-1194'."

Luo and colleagues published the results of their research in Chinese Medical Journal (Enhanced external counterpulsation promotes growth cytokines-mediated myocardial angiogenesis in a porcine model of hypercholesterolemia. Chinese Medical Journal, 2009;122(10):1188-1194).

For additional information, contact G.F. Wu, Sun Yat Sen UniversityAffiliated Hospital 1, Cardiovascular Research Center, Division Cardiology, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.

The publisher of the Chinese Medical Journal can be contacted at: Chinese Medical Association, 42 Dongsi Xidajie, Beijing 100710, People's Republic of China.

Keywords: People's Republic of China, Guangzhou, Angina Pectoris, Angiogenesis, Arteriosclerosis, Atherosclerosis, Cardiology, Cytokines, Hypercholesterolemia, Ischemia, Oncology, Progenitor Cell, Stem Cell Research, Tumor Vascularization, VEGF, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.