Prolonged Fasting Improves Endothelial Progenitor Cell-Mediated Ischemic Angiogenesis in Mice

Area of Science:

• Vascular biology and regenerative medicine
• Neuroscience and cerebrovascular research
• Metabolic health and disease

Background:

• Prolonged fasting (PF) is recognized for its health benefits, including chronic disease risk reduction.
• Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a crucial role in repairing damaged blood vessels and promoting angiogenesis.
• Cerebral ischemic injury, a major cause of stroke, involves impaired blood flow and neuronal damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of prolonged fasting (PF) on endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-mediated angiogenesis.
• To determine the effect of PF on cerebral ischemic injury in a mouse model.
• To explore the therapeutic potential of PF in treating ischemic vascular diseases.

Main Methods:

• Mice underwent prolonged fasting (PF) or periodic PF following induced cerebral ischemia.
• Histological analysis and behavioral tests were conducted to assess brain injury and function.
• Mouse EPCs were isolated, characterized, and their transplantation effects on cerebral ischemia were evaluated.

Main Results:

• PF significantly enhanced EPC function and angiogenesis in the ischemic brain, reducing cerebral ischemic injury.
• Periodic PF improved long-term neurobehavioral outcomes and reduced cortical atrophy in mice.
• EPCs from PF-treated mice exhibited increased eNOS, MnSOD, and NO levels, with reduced TSP-2 and O2- levels, demonstrating improved angiogenic and protective capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Prolonged fasting promotes EPC-mediated ischemic angiogenesis and improves long-term stroke outcomes in mice.
• PF enhances the therapeutic potential of EPCs for treating ischemic vascular conditions.
• PF emerges as a promising, non-pharmacological intervention for ischemic vascular diseases.