Cytori preclinical study shows stem cells improve cardiac function, blood flow

By Angela McDaniels

Seattle, Nov. 16 - Cytori Therapeutics Inc. said adipose-derived adult stem and regenerative cells improved blood flow to the site of injury in a preclinical model of a severe heart attack.

The data showed a significant increase in capillary density - a measure of the amount of oxygenated blood supplied to surrounding tissue - and support previously reported results that adipose-derived adult stem and regenerative cells enhance cardiac function, the company said.

In the randomized, placebo-controlled study, each left ventricular chamber received stem cells or a saline solution. After 12 weeks, the capillary density in the treated group was 40% greater than in the control group at the border zone, the site immediately adjacent to the injury, the company said.

Capillary density is a measure of the quality of tissue perfusion and has been shown to decrease significantly in the border zone following a heart attack, the company said. Increased perfusion helps to reduce progression of a heart attack into more severe cardiovascular disease.

"These results ... demonstrate the ability of adipose stem and regenerative cells to improve cardiac function by enhancing multiple healing mechanisms, including the formation of new blood vessels to damaged heart tissue," Cytori president Marc H. Hedrick said in a company news release.

"Furthermore, this preclinical study illustrates the significant therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells in ischemic heart disease for which we expect to initiate European clinical studies next year."

The results were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2005 in Dallas.

Adipose tissue, also known as fat, is an abundant source of stem cells and other regenerative cells that can contribute to the repair and healing of damaged tissue, the company said.

Cytori is a San Diego-based biotechnology company that develops cell-based therapeutics using adult stem cells derived from fat.

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