[Temporospatial expression of bFGF and IGF-I in growing goats with cranial suture distraction osteogenesis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression patterns of bFGF and IGF-I in the growing goats with distracted cranial suture.

METHODS

Coronal suture distraction was performed to 12 growing goats. The suture was expanded using a custom-made distractor with a rate of 0.4 mm/day for 8 days. Four goats were killed at 0, 2, and 4 weeks after the completion of suture distraction osteogenesis, respectively. The expanded sutures were harvested and processed for immunohistochemistry analysis of bFGF and IGF-I. Two goats without suture distraction were also examined as controls.

RESULTS

The coronal sutures were expanded successfully. At 0 and 2 weeks after the completion of suture distraction, collagen fiber bundles were strengthened and aligned in the direction of the distraction. Strong expressions of bFGF and IGF-I were detected in the distracted sutures. Expressions of bFGF appeared in the fibroblast-like cells and the osteoblasts cells. Positive signal of IGF-I was mainly localized to the osteoblasts and the newly formed osteocytes. The strongest expressions of bFGF and IGF-I were found 0-2 weeks after the completion of the suture distraction.

CONCLUSION

Distraction stimulates the production of bFGF and IGF-I, which may contribute to the formation and remodeling of new bones.