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Marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been heralded as a source of great promise for the regeneration of the infarcted heart. There is no clear data indicating whether or not in vitro differentiation of MSCs into major myocardial cells can increase the beneficial effects of MSCs. The aim of this study is to address this issue. To induce MSCs to transdifferentiate into cardiomyocyte-like and endothelial-like cells, 5-azacytidine and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were used, respectively. Myocardial infarction in rabbits was generated by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Animals were divided into three experimental groups: I, control group; II, undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cell transplantation group; III, differentiated mesenchymal stem cell transplantation group; which respectively received peri-infarct injections of culture media, autologous undifferentiated MSCs and autologous differentiated MSCs. General pathology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and echocardiography were performed in order to search for myocardial regeneration and improvement of cardiac function. In Groups II and III, implanted cells transdifferentiate into myocardial cells within 28 days post injection in a similar manner, and well-developed ultra structures formed within transplanted cells. Improvements in left ventricular function and reductions in infarcted area were observed in both cell-transplanted groups to the same degree. Vascular density was similar in Groups II and III and significantly higher in these groups compared with the control group. There is no need for prior differentiation induction of marrow-derived MSCs before transplantation and peri-infarct implantation of MSCs can efficiently regenerate the infarcted myocardium and improve cardiac function.

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Serum lipids (triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL) were measured in clinically healthy broilers, ostriches, cattle, and sheep (15 females and 15 males of each species).The results were as follows: the mean±SD of triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL in broiler serum was 190±82, 183±46, 118±24, 24±8, and 38±16 mg/dl; in ostrich serum 301± 90, 205±78, 57±25, and 87±16 mg/dl; in cattle serum 39± 1 2, 92±20, 67±16, 16±7, and 8±2 mg/dl; and in sheep serum 32±14, 97±27, 49±16, 42±14, and 6±3 mg/dl, respectively. The serum lipid values showed highly significant difference between broilers and ostriches compared with cattle and sheep (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two sexes (P>0.05). Considering the nutritional analysis of the meat from each species, according to results, there seems to be an inverse correlation between these factors in serum and meat.

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