Atherosclerosis
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Adult bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) can restore cardiac function following myocardial necrosis. Protocols used to date have administered cells relatively late after ischaemia/reperfusion injury, but there is the opportunity with elective procedures to infuse cells shortly after restoration of blood flow, for example after angioplasty. Our aim was therefore to try and quantify protection from myocardial injury by early infusion of BMMNCs in a rat ischaemia reperfusion (I/R) model. ⋯ Early BMMNC injection during reperfusion preserves the myocardium, with evidence of reduced apoptosis, necrosis, and activation of survival pathways.