Abstract

EFFECTS OF ALPHA LIPOIC ACID ON ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS IN 5/6 NEPHRECTOMIZED RATS

Zhang Pei-Yan, Chen Ding-Ding* and Cao Teng-Li

Abstract

Objective: Patients with chronic renal failure have high risk of cardiovascular diseases that are closely related to impaired angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction. Previous researches demonstrate that endothelial progenitor cells play key roles in angiogenesis and re-endothelialization. We hypothesized that alpha lipoic acid could ameliorate cardiovascular diseases in 5/6 NX rats through affecting endothelial progenitor cells. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, 5/6 nephrectomy group, Alpha lipoic acid low dose (70 mg/kg) and high dose group (150 mg/kg). Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations were measured after six and eight weeks respectively. Cardiac function was detected with an invasive carotid artery catheter in conscious rats after eight weeks. Endothelial function was assessed by pre-contracting thoracic aortic ring with phenylephrine, followed by treatment with acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside. Expression levels of CD133、CD31、CD34 and KDR in both thoracic aorta and coronary artery were examined by real-time quantitative PCR. Results: Chronic renal failure severely impaired aortic endothelial-dependent vasodilatation and cardiac function which were ameliorated by LA. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed that expression levels of endothelial progenitor cell markers such as CD133、CD31、CD34 and KDR reduced in 5/6 nephrectomized rats were noticeably increased after treatment with LA. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that LA ameliorated endothelial function as well as cardiac function in 5/6 NX rats through affecting endothelial progenitor cells. It suggests that LA-based therapy could provide a novel therapeutic strategy of cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: alpha lipoic acid; cardiovascular diseases; chronic renal failure; endothelial progenitor cells.