Background Diabetes-induced impairment of collateral formation in ischemic myocardium has been demonstrated in clinical studies,which may contribute to unfavorable prognosis among diabetic individuals.However,the underlying mechanism remains to be defined.In our previous studies,thioredoxin (Trx) activity was shown to be decreased in diabetic cardiac tissues.Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP),as Trx endogenous inhibitor,is strongly induced by glucose due to a carbohydrate response element within its promoter.Thus in present study we aim to determine whether inhibition of Trx by TXNIP exerts a causative effect on impairment of myocardial ischemia-induced angiogenesis under diabetic condition and to identify the downstream molecules through in vivo and in vitro experiments.