Impact of obesity control on circulating level of endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenesis in response to ischemic stimulation

Abstract

Abstract Background and aim We tested the hypothesis that obesity reduced circulating number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), angiogenic ability, and blood flow in ischemic tissue that could be reversed after obesity control. Methods 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice (n = 27) were equally divided into group 1 (fed with 22-week control diet), group 2 (22-week high fat diet), and group 3 (14-week high fat diet, followed by 8-week control diet). Critical limb ischemia (CLI) was induced at week 20 in groups 2 and 3. The animals were sacrificed at the end of 22 weeks. Results Heart weight, body weight, abdominal fat weight, serum total cholesterol level, and fasting blood sugar were highest in group 2 (all p Conclusion Obesity suppressed abilities of angiogenesis and recovery from CLI that were reversed by obesity control.

Keywords

• Obesity control
• Endothelial progenitor cells
• Angiogenesis
• Critical limb ischemia