Obesity suppresses circulating level and function of endothelial progenitor cells and heart function

• Main Authors: Tsai Tzu-Hsien, Chai Han-Tan, Sun Cheuk-Kwan, Yen Chia-Hung, Leu Steve, Chen Yung-Lung, Chung Sheng-Ying, Ko Sheung-Fat, Chang Hsueh-Wen, Wu Chiung-Jen, Yip Hon-Kan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-07-01
• Series: Journal of Translational Medicine
• Subjects: Obesity; Aortic endothelium; Endothelial progenitor cells; Angiogenesis; Left ventricular remodeling
• Online Access: http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/10/1/137

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background and aim</p> <p>This study tested the hypothesis that obesity suppresses circulating number as well as the function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>High fat diet (45 Kcal% fat) was given to 8-week-old C57BL/6 J mice (n = 8) for 20 weeks to induce obesity (group 1). Another age-matched group (n = 8) were fed with control diet for 20 weeks as controls (group 2). The animals were sacrificed at the end of 20 weeks after obesity induction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By the end of study period, the heart weight, body weight, abdominal fat weight, serum levels of total cholesterol and fasting blood sugar were remarkably higher in group 1 than in group 2 (all p<0.01). The circulating level of EPCs (C-kit/CD31, Sca-1/KDR, CXCR4/CD34) was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p<0.03) at 18 h after critical limb ischemia induction. The angiogenesis and migratory ability of bone marrow-derived EPCs was remarkably impaired in group 1 compared to that in group 2 (all p<0.01). The repair ability of aortic endothelium damage by lipopolysaccharide was notably attenuated in group 1 compared with that in group 2 (p<0.01). Collagen deposition (Sirius red staining) and fibrotic area (Masson's Trichrome staining) in LV myocardium were notably increased in group 1 compared with group 2 (p<0.001). LVEF was notably lower, whereas LV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions were remarkably higher in group 1 than in group 2 (all p<0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Obesity diminished circulating EPC level, impaired the recovery of damaged endothelium, suppressed EPC angiogenesis ability and LVEF, and increased LV remodeling.</p>