Objective: 

Peroxisome proliferator activating receptors (PPAR) ligands play a different role in cardiovascular system, however, very little has been known about the function of PPARb receptor in modulating angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a specific PPARb agonist, GW0742, on angiogenesis and serum levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), VEGF Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and nitrite, the main metabolite of nitric oxide, in hindlimb ischemia in normal and type I diabetic rats.

Methods: 

Hindlimb ischemic Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, diabetic, control and diabetic treated with GW0742 (n=7 each). Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg; ip). GW0742 was injected one day after surgery (1mg/kg; sc). After 21 days, blood samples were taken and gastrocnemius muscles were harvested for immunohistochemistry. The study was approved by the local ethics committee.

Results: 

Results showed that GW0742 significantly increased serum nitrite and VEGFR-2 concentrations and serum VEGF to VEGFR-2 ratio in both control and diabetic rats. The capillary density in hindlimb ischemia was lower in diabetic animals compare to control and GW0742 significantly restored the capillary density in control and diabetic hindlimb ischemic rats.

Conclusions: 

PPARb agonist, GW0742, administration restores skeletal muscle angiogenesis in control and diabetic hind limb ischemia and can be considered for prevention and/or treatment of peripheral vascular complications in diabetic subjects.