Objective: To investigate the effect of bone marrow derived endothelial cells implantation on healing of acute injured intima.
Methods: Mononuclear cells derived from bone marrow were differentiated to endothelial cells. The cells were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine. Carotids injuring was induced by a balloon in 40 rabbits, endothelial cell suspension (2 x 10(6)/ml, n = 20) or PBS (2 ml, n = 20) was infused to injured arteries. The intima covered area was tested by Evan's Blue staining. The average intima thickness and media thickness were observed 7 and 14 days post procedure by histological assay. The immunofluorescent staining was performed for testing the BrdU labeled-cells, and these cells were detected under a fluorescent microscope.
Results: Intima covered area rate was significant higher (54.1% +/- 8.2% vs. 30.0% +/- 5.5% at day 7, and 81.8% +/- 6.0% vs. 63.6% +/- 8.4% at day 14, all P < 0.05) and the intima thickness and media thickness were significantly reduced in the endothelial cell suspension group.
Conclusion: The bone marrow derived endothelial cell promoted healing post intima injury in this model compared to PBS group (all P < 0.05).