Dynamics of endothelial progenitor cells following sevoflurane preconditioning

There is relevant evidence concerning the involvement of endothelial progenitor cells in neovascularization and wound healing. In this study we investigated the effects of sevoflurane, a volatile anesthetic with proven cardioprotective virtues, on the mobilization of bone marrow mononuclear cells with endothelial progenitor markers (CD 34+, flk-1 +), an event that may account for the protective effects of delayed anesthetic preconditioning. Male Wistar rats were treated with a mixture of air and sevoflurane (1 MAC) in cycles of 5 minutes, alternating with 5-minutes wash-out periods (the preconditioned group), or ventilated for 30 minutes with room air (control group). Following flow cytometry and immunofluorescence measurements, a considerable increase in circulating CD34+, flk-1 + and CD34+/flk-1 + cells was observed in the preconditioned group beginning at 12 hours after treatment, with a peak value at 24 hours after sevoflurane administration. These cells are a potential source of myocardial regeneration in the context of perioperative or periprocedural ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease.