Liposomal angiogenic peptides for ischemic limb perfusion: comparative study between different administration methods.

AbstractBackground: We investigated the therapeutic effectiveness of PEGylated liposomes loaded with angiogenic peptides for treating hindlimb ischemia.Methods: Rats received a femoral artery occlusion. Red blood cells collected from the animals were labeled with technetium-99m. Limb perfusion gamma imaging was performed. PEGylated liposomes loaded with angiogenic peptides were administered intra-arterially. Technetium-99m red blood cell imaging was repeated 1 week later. The animals were sacrificed the next day. The expression of angiogenic proteins was studied. Later, changes in limb perfusion after intra-arterial infusion versus intra-muscular injection were also compared to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of different administration methods.Results: Femoral artery occlusion dramatically reduced ischemic limb perfusion (by an average of 69%, compared to contralateral limb). This was not different among groups (p > 0.05). Liposomes loaded with angiogenic peptides significantly improved ischemic ...