OBJECTIVETo investigate the perfusion restoration of type 1 diabetic mouse under the setting of surgically induced hind limb ischemia and the number and function of bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).

METHODSForty mice were randomly divided into two groups: one group was injected with alloxan through tail vein to induce type 1 diabetes mellitus, and another group was set as control group. All mice were surgically induced to hind limb ischemia. Blood flow was monitored with Laser Doppler perfusion imaging for 4 weeks after artery ligation. Ten mice in each group were sacrificed and muscle tissues were harvested for histological detection. The remaining mice were sacrificed 7 days after surgery, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were harvested and EPCs were analyzed by flow cytometry and then were collected to culture for functional detection.

RESULTSAll mice received alloxan injection showed typical symptoms of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Restoration of blood flow was significantly slower in type 1 diabetic mice with lower level of vascular density in ischemic muscles than control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). The number and function of EPCs (CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 double positive cells) in type 1 diabetic mice were significantly lower than that in control mice (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe spontaneous angiogenesis is attenuated with a decreased number and function of EPCs in the setting of type 1 diabetes mellitus. This may partly explain why diabetic patients with peripheral artery diseases have more aggressive disease and poorer outcome.