PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone prevents apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells from rat bone marrow.

Selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonist affects the functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). This study explores the effect of selective PPAR-γ agonist, pioglitazone, on EPC apoptosis. The cells were cultured and identified via the double staining method in a medium containing different concentrations of pioglitazone. EPC apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. On Day 7, EPCs engulfed DiL-ac-LDL and FITC-UEA-1, and showed yellow fluorescence in a laser-scanning confocal microscope. EPC apoptosis inhibition was maximal at 50 µmol/L. The ability of pioglitazone to prevent EPC apoptosis may be mediated by the PI3K/Akt signal pathway. The use of thiazolidine two ketone (TZD) to reduce EPC apoptosis may have some potential in treating vascular diseases.