Effect of β-carotene on cell proliferation and differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into endothelial progenitor cells

Aim: To evaluate the ability of β-carotene to protect oxidation effect of H₂O₂, and to enhance proliferation and differentiation into AD-MSCs into EPCs. Experimental: AD-MSCs were induced by EGM Bullet Kit medium with or without β-carotene. The proliferation of EPCs was determined by viable cell number counts. Differentiation into EPCs was characterized by the following surface markers: CD 34, CD133 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). The protective effect of β-carotene was measured base on the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by fluorescence with 2',7'- dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) using flow cytometry. Results: β-Carotene enhanced cell proliferation and differentiation of AD-MSCs into EPCs, and also decreased the accumulation of H₂0₂-induced intracellular ROS in EPCs. Conclusion: β- Carotene plays a role in cell proliferation and differentiation of AD-MSCs to EPCs that might be due to decreased intracellular ROS level.