ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of intracoronary adenovirus vector encoding hepatocyte growth factor gene (Ad(5)-HGF) on hematopoietic stem cells mobilization in patients with extensive coronary heart disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with extensive coronary heart disease were treated with intracoronary infusion of adenovirus vector encoding hepatocyte growth factor (Ad(5)-HGF 5 x 10(9) pfu) gene plus stent implantation (n = 9) or equal physiological saline plus stent implantation (n = 9). Angioplasty and stent implantation was performed according to standard clinical practice by the femoral approach and blood samples were drawn from each patient at baseline before PCI, 6 to 24 hours and 6 days post procedure. The number of CD34(+), CD38(+) and CD117(+) cells in peripheral blood was analyzed by flow cytometer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of circulating CD34(+) cells in Ad(5)-HGF gene treatment group 6 hours after procedure and the number of circulating CD117(+) cells 6 days post procedure were significantly higher in Ad(5)-HGF gene treatment group than those in the control group (0.104 +/- 0.082 vs. 0.022 +/- 0.012, P = 0.021) and (0.058 +/- 0.058 vs. 0.012 +/- 0.009, P = 0.034), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intracoronary administration of Ad(5)-HGF could mobilize hematopoietic stem cells into peripheral blood and the consequent role of this observation on myocardial regeneration warrants further detailed studies.</p>