DCE-MRI and fatty acid metabolomics for evaluating endothelial progenitor cells function in diabetic rabbits with critical limb ischemia

Motivation: Diabetic lipid metabolism induces impairments of bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) 1, accelerates microangiopathy of critical limb ischemia 2,3 and increases amputation rate 4. Goal(s): To explore the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on EPCs function and fatty acid metabolism in rabbits with critical limb ischemia using DCE-MRI. Approach: DISCO-acquired DCE-MRI, EPCs function assessment, fatty acid metabolomics and CD31 immunohistochemical staining of proximal femur were performed. Results: DM increased the significant differences of microvascular permeability parameters among time points and those were correlated with mobilization, migration and angiogenesis of EPCs, and fatty acid anabolism indices in both experimental groups at week 4. Impact: Early non-invasive evaluating bone marrow endothelial progenitor cell functions in diabetic rabbits with critical limb ischemia could monitor functions of bone marrow EPCs during lipid regulation using DISCO MRI and timely adjust treatment strategies to improve microcirculation and reduce amputation.