Parathyroid hormone mobilization and limb ischemia

Naples, Italy -

The administration of bone marrow stem cells into ischemic muscles for treatment of critical limb ischemia is currently being performed in clinical trials, with results demonstrating stimulation of angiogenesis and functional improvement.  Given that a substantial amount of the angiogenic response seems to be dependent on endogenous stem cell mobilization, one interesting idea is to mobilize endogenous stem cells without adding exogenous ones.  This is what scientists have reported in a recent publication (Napoli et al. Therapeutic targeting of the stem cell niche in experimental hindlimb ischemia. Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med 2008 Apr 15).

The authors used a femoral artery ligation model in B6 mice to mimick limb ischemia.  Endogenous stem cells were mobilized with G-CSF, as well as in some groups with G-CSF and parathyroid hormone, an experimental mobilizing agent.   

G-CSF and parathyroid hormone synergized at inducing angiogenesis in the ischemic muscles as well as preventing apoptosis, fibrosis, and oxidative stress.

We at StemCellPatents.com believe that investigation of such combination approaches is currently not being performed as much as it should.  After Osiris gets FDA approval for their universal donor mesenchymal cells, the next step in advancing medicine will be using these cells with different combinations of pharmaceuticals to optimize effects.