Impaired Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Angiogenesis of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Isolated from Rats during the Course of Diabetes

Background: To characterize the impaired of proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenic activity in ASCs isolated at different stages of the disease course from rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Methods: Adipose tissues of the epididymis were harvested at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after the induction of T1DM in rats and from normal rats at the same time points and the morphological variations were detected by Oil red O staining. ASCs were collected from adipose tissues. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression were assessed. Results: With the prolongation of the disease course, the size and the morphology of adipocytes were distorted, and intracellular lipid droplets became smaller. After 4 weeks, the proliferation of ASCs was decreased, while apoptosis in ASCs was increased. Furthermore, as the disease proceeded, proliferation decreased and apoptosis increased. VEGF and bFGF expression in ASCs from diabetic rats was downregulated at 8 weeks. Conclusion: At 4 weeks after T1DM induction, the proliferation of ASCs decreased and apoptosis increased. The expression of angiogenic factors in ASCs declined at 8 weeks after T1DM induction. The changes in the proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenic activity are related to the prolongation of disease course.