Augmentation of neovascularization in murine hindlimb ischemia by combined therapy with simvastatin and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation

We postulated that combining high-dose simvastatin with bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) delivery may give better prognosis in a mouse hindlimb ischemia model. Methods: Mouse hindlimb ischemia model was established by ligating the right femoral artery. Animals were grouped (n = 10) to receive local injection of saline without cells (control and simvastatin groups) or with 5 × 106 MSCs (MSCs group).Animals received either simvastatin (20 mg/kg/d, simvastatin and combination groups) or saline (control and MSCs group) gavages for continual 21 days. The blood flow was assessed by laser Doppler...