Cyclophosphamide improves the function of post-infarct hearts by reducing old infarct area and accelerating the mobilization of CD34+ cells.

BACKGROUND Myelosuppressives such as cyclophosphamide (Cy) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU), which can increase circulating CD34+ cells, may have a beneficial effect in the post-infarct heart. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-four hours after 30-min ischemia-reperfusion, rabbits were intravenously treated with Cy (20 mg/kg), 5FU (15 mg/kg) or saline (S). Cy significantly improved cardiac function and remodeling and decreased the old infarct area 1 month after infarction, compared with those given S. The number of circulating CD34+ cells was higher and neovascularization and matrix metalloproteinase-1 was induced in the Cy group. CONCLUSION Cy has potential for post-infarct treatment.