Effects of pravastatin and granulocyto-colony stimulating factor in mobilizing endothelial progenitor cells in mice with myocardial ischemia / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects of pravastatin and granulocyto-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in mobilizing endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in mice with myocardial ischemia, and explore the possible mechanism of EPC mobilization.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=24), namely the control group, saline group, pravastatin group and G-CSF group. In the latter 3 groups, myocardial ischemia was induced with isoprenine followed by intraperitoneal injections of normal saline, pravastatin and G-CSF for 5 consecutive days. On days 1, 5, 7, and 9 after establishment of myocardial ischemia, 6 mice from each group were randomly selected for measurement of the EPC count and serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, EPC count increased slightly in the saline group on days 1, 5, and 7. EPC count increased significantly in pravastatin group on days 5, 7 and 9 in comparison with that of the saline group, and the increment was more obvious in G-CSF group. In comparison with the control group, the concentrations of VEGF augmented on days 5, 7 and 9 in the order of saline group, pravastatin group and G-CSF group. The effect of G-CSF on EPC mobilization was positively correlated to VEGF concentrations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Myocardial ischemia induces EPC mobilization and VEGF release. Both Pravastatin and G-CSF can enhance EPC mobilization from the bone marrow and VEGF release, but G-CSF produces a stronger effect on EPC mobilization in association of VEGF release.</p>