Comparison of developmental endothelial locus-1 angiogenic factor with vascular endothelial growth factor in a porcine model of cardiac ischemia

Background. This study compared the angiogenic effects of developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as the negative control, β-galactosidase (β-gal), in a porcine model of cardiac ischemia. Methods. Twenty pigs underwent left circumflex artery occlusions. After 3 weeks, the animals received myocardial injections of adenovirus expressing β-gal (n=6), DEL-1 (n=7), or VEGF (n=7). At 7 weeks, animals were assessed for both function and coronary flow and compared with baseline measurements. Results. Regional wall motion index and global ejection fraction showed deterioration in function in the β-gal group and no change in the VEGF and DEL-1 groups between the treatment and harvest time points. Preload recruitable stroke work suggested functional improvement in the VEGF group (35.8 ± 8.6 vs 56.4 ± 17.8, p = 0.033). The increase in the DEL-1 group was not statistically significant (27.3 ± 9.8 vs, 40.2 ± 19.4, p = 0.067). The β-gal group exhibited minimal change (30.7 ± 14.8 vs 35.9 ± 12.1, p = 0.96). Regional blood flow as assessed by fluorescent microspheres was improved under stress conditions in the VEGF group (1.00 ± 0.15 vs 1.15 ± 0.22, p = 0.03). Conclusions. Treatment with VEGF led to a modest improvement in regional blood flow and cardiac function in previously ischemic myocardial tissue.