Vascular endothelial growth factor gene transfection to enhance the repair of avascular necrosis of the femoral head of rabbit.

OBJECTIVE

To explore a new method for the therapy of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

METHODS

The recombinant plasmid pCD-hVEGF165 was mixed with collagen and was implanted in the necrotic femoral head. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was examined by RNA dot hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. Repair of the femoral head was observed by histological and histomorphometric analysis.

RESULTS

The expression of VEGF was detected in the femoral head transfected with the VEGF gene. The femoral head transfected with the VEGF gene showed a significant increase in angiogenesis 2 and 4 weeks after gene transfection and a significant increase in bone formation 6 and 8 weeks after gene transfection on histomorphometric analysis (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Transfection of the VEGF gene enhances bone tissue angiogenesis. Repair of osteonecrosis could be accelerated accordingly, thus providing a potential method for therapy of osteonecrosis.