Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the treatment possibility and effects on rats models with experimental femoral artery obliterans(EFAO) by transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells(EPC) from bone marrow. MethodsEFAO rat models were successfully made. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) were isolated from allogeneic male Wistar rat,cultured in DMEM in vitro. EGF,bFGF and IGF-1 were added into culture medium on the 10th day and the active EPC were labled with BrdU. 5×10⁶ of the above cells were transplanted into the right hindlimbs i.m. as Group A in the 16 rats,and the same volume of normal saline into the opposite as Group B as control. Laser Doppler perfusion imaging was taken on the 0 day、the 14th day and the 28th day after transplantation. On the 14 day and the 28 day 8 rats were sacrificed respectively and muscles of all hindlimbs were extracted for immunohistochemical examinations (by FⅧ and BrdU).Results1. In group A the skin blood perfusion in hindlimb were significantly increased as compared with group B(P<0.05). 2. Some positive stained EPC by BrdU were found in Group A but not in Group B. 3. The numbers of blood vessels with positive staining of FⅧ in hindlimb on the 28 day in Group A were more obviously than that in Group B (P<0.01). ConclusionTransplantation of EPC from bone marrow can significantly increase the skin blood perfusion and capillary density in ischemic hindlimbs in EFAOrats.

Key words: endothelial progenitor cells(EPC), cell transplantation, femoral artery obliterans, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)