title: Rosiglitazone enhances neovascularization in diabetic rat ischemic hindlimb model.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. khazaei@med.mui.ac.ir
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khazaei
authors.forename: Ensieh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salehi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077154:Rosiglitazone