Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor treatment of chronic myocardial infarction.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration on cardiac function of rats with chronic myocardial infarction through two different protocols: high dose short term and low dose long term protocols.

Methods: Wistar rats were submitted to MI surgery and after 4 weeks they received recombinant human G-CSF (Filgrastim) or vehicle subcutaneously. We tested the classical protocol (50 microg/kg/day during 7 days) and the long term low dose treatment (four cycles of 5 days of 10 microg/kg/day).