Transplantation of erythropoietin gene-transfected umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as a treatment for limb ischemia in rats
The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of erythropoietin (EPO)-transfected umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in the treatment of rats with ischemic limb and provide a theoretical basis for optimization of UC-MSC transplantation. Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: ischemia control group, EPO treatment group, UC-MSCs treatment group, EPO gene transfected UC-MSC treatment groups (15 rats in each group). The left femoral hind artery and its branches were ligated to develop hind limb ischemia in male SD rats.