ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the mechanism of vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF)165 and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) improving cardiomyocyte proliferation in experimental porcine after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: The MI model was established by left anterior descending artery ligation in 15 male pigs and the animals were divided into 3 groups, n=5 in each group. Control group, the pigs received normal saline injection at the infarct and peri-infarct zones. VEGF group, the pigs received (1×1010 ) pfu of viral titers of Ad-VEGF injection. HGF group, the pigs received (1×1010 ) pfu of viral titers of Ad-HGF injection. The myocardial perfusion and cardiac function were examined by SPECT, the protein expressions of VEGF165 and HGF were measured by Western blot analysis, cardiomyocyte proliferation was analyzed by immunolfuorescence and immunoprecipitation method. Results: ① Compared with Control group, the expressions of VEGF165 and HGF were higher at the infarct and peri-infarct zones in both treatment groups; ② Both treatment groups had better cardiac function and myocardial perfusion; ③ Both treatment groups had improved cardiomyocyte proliferation at the infarct and peri-infarct zones.④VEGF165 promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation via p27 pathway;⑤HGF promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation via p21 and p27 pathways. Conclusion: VEGF165 and HGF could improve myocardial perfusion and function in experimental porcine after MI, VEGF165 and HGF promote cardiomyocyte proliferation via different pathways.