Endothelial progenitor cells in rat model of portal hypertension with esophagogastric varices

Objective To investigate the involvement of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in collateral angiogenesis in portal hypertension.Methods A rat model of portal hypertension with esophagogastric varices was established (n =15) as model group,and the rats were subjected to sham operations as control group (n =5).The counts of EPCs in the portal veins in the two groups and the relationship between the EPCs and vessel density in esophageal tissue in the model group were analyzed.The expression of CD133 in the esophageal veins of rats with esophagogastric varices was detected by the immunohistochemical method.Results Significantly more EPCs colonies were observed in the model group than in the control group (P ＜ 0.01),and this finding was closely correlated with the vascular density of the esophageal tissue (P ＜ 0.01).CD133-positive endothelial cells were visible in the esophageal submucosal vessels of model group but not in control group.Conclusion EPCs may be involved in the angiogenesis of esophageal veins in rats with portal hypertension. Key words: Endothelial progenitor cells;  Portal hypertension;  Esophagogastric varices