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Updated: May 17, 2026
Preclinical Model of Hind Limb Ischemia in Diabetic Rabbits
Published on: June 2, 2019
Rosiglitazone enhances neovascularization in diabetic rat ischemic hindlimb model
1Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. khazaei@med.mui.ac.ir
Background:
There is increasing evidence that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) may be involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. In this study, we examined whether rosiglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, can restore angiogenesis in a rat hindlimb ischemia model of diabetes.
Methods:
Male wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6 each): control, diabetic and control and diabetic rats who received rosiglitazone (8 mg/kg/day). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg; ip). After 21 days, serum concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) were measured and neovascularization in ischemic legs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Capillary density and capillary/fiber ratio in hindlimb ischemia of diabetic animals were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). Rosiglitazone significantly restored neovascularization in diabetic animals (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
rosiglitazone enhances neovascularization in diabetic ischemic skeletal muscle and could be considered for treatment of peripheral artery disease in diabetic subjects.
