Endotelial Progenitor Cell Changes in a Metabolic Síndrome Experimental Model

LEMBO, C; RENNA NF; GONZALEZ S; LAMA C; MIATELLO RM

San Luis

Congreso; XXVII Reunión Científica Anual Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2009

Sociedad de Biologia de Cuyo

The aim was to observe the levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), characterized by CD34 and VEGFR-2 antigen expression, in the development of endothelial dysfunction associated to a metabolic syndrome experimental model. Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) male rats were distributed in 4 groups (n=8 each): I.WKY; II. FFR: WKY receiving 10% fructose solution as drinking water for 12 weeks; III. SHR; IV. FFHR: SHR receiving 10% fructose solution as drinking water for 12 weeks. Circulating EPCs were stained with fluorescein-conjugated (FITC) CD34 and phycoerythrin-conjugated VEGFR-2 antibodies. Flow cytometry analysis was performed by Cell-Quest software. Co-localization of both markers on cell surface was assessed by laser immunofluorescence microscopy. This test was also performed in mesenteric blood vessels tissue and bone marrow samples. Data were processed by ANOVA. Symbols * and # indicates p<0.001 v WKY and p<0.001 v FFHR, respectively. Circulating CD34+/VEGFR2+ cells percentage significantly decreased in FFR* and FFHR*#. A similar pattern was observed in vascular mesenteric tissue, while bone marrow samples did not show significant differences. These results underline the decline in EPC levels associated with the progress of pathology. In other way, endothelial reparation seems to be deficient in the fructose-treated groups.