Induction of neovascularization in vivo by glycerol.

Glycerol, injected into a site between the femoral vessels of the rat, induced neovascularization, both from the preexisting microcirculation and from the side of the femoral vein facing the artery-vein interstitium where the glycerol was administered. The use of glycerol together with a known angiogenic substance (PGE2) did not modify the neocapillary density (NCD) obtained with glycerol alone. In contrast, the lower level of NCD achieved with an acylglycerol (triacetylglycerol) was increased when the latter was associated with PGE2. Values reached were similar to, but never higher than, those for glycerol alone, or combined with PGE2. The results suggest that glycerol and some substances containing glycerol, amongst which 1-butyrylglycerol has been previously considered, may stimulate angiogenesis by a direct or indirect mechanism of action.