Vildagliptin and G-CSF Improved Angiogenesis and Survival after Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most important diseases that has stimulated interest in understanding cardiac function recovery. SDF-1 is a chemotactic factor and a pro-angiogenic molecule; SDF-1 degradation is inhibited by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors, such as vildagliptin. We investigated whether vildagliptin affects angiogenesis in MI and improves cardiac function recovery.

Methods: We established a therapeutic strategy using vildagliptin and G-CSF treatment to improve cardiac function recovery after MI in mice.

Results: Vildagliptin treatment increased the myocardial homing of circulating CXCR4+ stem cells and angiogenesis. The combination of vildagliptin and G-CSF treatment attenuated cardiac remodeling and improved survival and cardiac function after MI. Vildagliptin treatment induced active SDF-1, which preserved the cardiac SDF-1-CXCR4 homing axis for MI injury.

Conclusion: Vildagliptin and G-CSF induced stem cell mobilization and increased angiogenesis as a therapeutic strategy for improving survival and cardiac function after MI.