The apelin-APJ pathway exists in cardiomyogenic cells derived from mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and in vivo.

Our previous study demonstrated that apelin level increased significantly after the treatment of intracoronary implantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs), followed by the improvement of cardiac function in patients with severe ischemic heart failure. The present studies both in vivo and in vitro explored whether mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BMSCs) activate the apelin-APJ pathway when differentiating into cardiomyogenic cells. Isolated BMSCs from rat femurs and tibias were cultured and expanded for three passages, labeled with DAPI, and treated with 5-azacytidine (5-AZ).

[Autologous mononuclear bone marrow cell transplantation by intracoronary route for patients with ischemic heart disease: observation of 2-years follow-up].

Objective: To investigate the long-term effect and safety of intracoronary autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Methods: Seventy-six patients with IHD, 26 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 26 patients with chronic ischemic heart failure (CIHF), underwent routine treatment plus intracoronary autologous BMMC transplantation, and 24 patients, including 10 patients with AMI and 14 patients with CIHF underwent routine treatment as controls. Autologous BMMC transplantation was performed via a balloon catheter placed into the infarct-related artery during balloon dilatation by high pressure infusion to occlude the artery, which was performed 6 - 8 times for 2 minutes each with 2-minute interval or via a balloon catheter without occluding the infarct-related artery.

[The autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation by intracoronary route treat patients with severe heart failure after myocardial infarction].

Objective: To investigate the chronic effects of intracoronary autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BM-MNCs) transplantation in patients with refractory heart failure (RIHF) after myocardial infarction.

Methods: Thirty patients with RIHF (LVEF < 40%) were enrolled in this nonrandomized study, autologous BM-MNCs (5.0 +/- 0.