Danhong Promotes Angiogenesis in Diabetic Mice after Critical Limb Ischemia by Activation of CSE-H(2)S-VEGF Axis

The aim of this paper is to investigate effect and mechanism of Danhong injection (DH) on angiogenesis in the diabetic hind limb ischemia mouse model. Thirty diabetic hind limb ischemic model mice and ten normal mice, established by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) or PBS and ligation/excision of femoral artery, and then twenty diabetic hind limb ischemic model mice of all were evenly randomized to saline (control, n = 10) and DH i.p. injection (2 mL/kg weight for 7 days, n = 10) groups. Limb perfusion recovery and femoral blood hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and vessel regeneration and lower limb vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) expression were evaluated during intervention and after euthanasia, respectively. DH i.p. increased ischemic limb perfusion and promoted collateral circulation generation without decreasing blood glucose level. Increased local CSE-H(2)S-VEGF expression contributed to beneficial effects of DH injection. In conclusion, activation of local CSE-H(2)S-VEGF axis might participate in proangiogenesis effects of DH injection in diabetic hind limb ischemia model mice, suggesting a potential therapy for diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia.