Effect of rhVEGF gene transfection on survival of grafts after autologous free granular fat transplantation in rats.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF) on autologous free granular fat grafts in rats.

METHODS

Forty-eight Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, weighing 190-280 g and regardless sex, were randomly divided into three groups, sixteen in each. After fat transplantation, the rats were treated with plasmid DNA encoding rhVEGF protein (the experimental group), plasmid DNA (the negative group) and normal saline (the blank control group), respectively. At 3, 7, 15 and 30 days after transplantation, the rats were killed and the grafts were weighed, respectively. Histopathological changes were evaluated. Microvessel density and the expression of VEGF were examined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.

RESULTS

The weights of the negative and blank control groups were significantly reduced on the 7th, 15th and 30th days compared with those of the experimental group. The expression of VEGF and the microvessel density in the experimental group were significantly higher than the other two groups during the latter periods.

CONCLUSION

The plasmid encoding VEGF can induce expression of VEGF and angiogenesis in fat grafts and reduce the absorption of free fat grafts.