Catalpol Promotes the Survival and VEGF Secretion of Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells and Their Role in Myocardial Repair After Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation has been recognized as an effective method for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). However, its efficacy is always restricted by the low survival of transplanted BMSCs in the ischemic myocardium. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of catalpol pre-treatment on the survival and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion of BMSCs under oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) condition and their role in myocardial repair in a rat model of MI. According to our results, pre-treatment with catalpol enhanced VEGF secretion and survival of OGD-treated BMSCs. Moreover, the apoptosis of BMSCs induced by OGD was restrained by catalpol as evidenced by increased level of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and decreased levels of BCL2-associated X (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3. In vivo study suggested that the survival of transplanted BMSCs was improved by catalpol pre-treatment. The myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis was further inhibited in catalpol pre-treated BMSCs group. Cardiac function detected by echocardiography was obviously improved by catalpol pre-treated BMSCs transplantation. Finally, angiogenesis and VEGF expression in the ischemic myocardium were significantly promoted in catalpol pre-treated BMSCs group. In conclusion, catalpol pre-treatment may facilitate the survival and VEGF secretion of BMSCs and improve their therapeutic effect on MI.