Attenuation of Hindlimb Ischemia after Associated Autologous Transplantation of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells and Platelet Rich Plasma

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether autologous bone marrow mononuclear stem cell (BMCs) associated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) transplantation improves peripheral collateralization in a rabbit ischemic limb model.Methods: Unilateral hindlimb ischemia was surgically induced in New Zealand White rabbits (n=30). A total of 106 BMCs+PRP were intramuscularly implanted into each ischemic limb. Blood flow was monitored by Doppler in the ischemic and control animals. Histological analysis of capillary density in the ischemic limbs was performed 30 days after the ischemia induction.Results: Histological sections of ischemic gastrocnemius muscle showed that capillary index (capillary/muscle fiber) was greater in the BMCs+PRP implantation group 30 days after the ischemia induction than in the saline group.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that implantation of BMCs+PRP into ischemic limbs effectively induces collateral vessel formation, suggesting that this cell therapy is useful as a novel strategy for therapeutic peripheral arterial disease.