Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (40): 7554-7557.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.40.033

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Effect of ultrasound-combined contrast agents on the produce of nitric oxide from endothelial progenitor cells

Wang Xiu-zhu1, Fan Guo-feng2, Tong Jia-yi3, Li Peng3, Yang Fang4   

  1. 1Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University Hospital, Nanjing  210018, Jiangsu Province, China
    2Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing  210008, Jiangsu Province, China
    3Cardiovascular Research Institute of Southeast University, Nanjing  210009, Jiangsu Province, China
    4State Key Laboratory of Instruments and Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing  210018, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Received:2011-05-14 Revised:2011-08-27 Online:2011-10-01 Published:2011-10-01
  • Contact: Fan Guo-feng, Master, Attending physician, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China fanguofeng98@163.com
  • About author:Wang Xiu-zhu, Pharmacist in charge, Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University Hospital, Nanjing 210018, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Supported by:

    Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education in 2009, Ministry of Education, No. 20090092120059*; the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2010, No. 81070265/H0222*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Animal studies have indicated ultrasound-combined contrast agents can significantly enhance the homing of bone marrow stem cells transplantation to treat myocardial infarction and improve heart function. But its mechanism is still unkown.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of ultrasound-combined contrast agents on the nitric oxide (NO) production and pathway by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) ex vivo.
METHODS: Bone marrow EPCs of Chinese minipigs were extracted, separated and cultured in vitro. The EPCs were divided to three groups: control group, ultrasound group and ultrasound-combined contrast agents group. After intervention, the NO concentration in the supernatant of EPCs and nitrogen synthase (NOS) relative activity were measured by nitrate reduction and spectroscopy, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, NO concentration in the supernatant of EPCs and NOS relative activity of EPCs were enhanced in the ultrasound-combined contrast agents group (P < 0.05), but no changed in ultrasound group (P > 0.05). Ultrasound-combined contrast agents increased the NO production in the solution containing L-arginine and hydrogene peroxide,, but single ultrasound had no effect. Results suggested that ultrasound-combined contrast agents can increase NO generation by enhancing the NOS activity and non-enzymatic NO synthesis of EPCs. These may be one of the mechanisms of the ultrasound-combined contrast agents enhancing the effect of stem cells transplanted to treat myocardial infarction.

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