Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (24): 4393-4397.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.24.006

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Establishment and evaluation of a modified animal model of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head

Li Chuan-jiang1, Wang Wan-ming2, Zhuang Yan-feng2, Li Zheng2, Li Jie2   

  1. 1 Second Department of Orthopaedics, Ningde Munipical Hospital, Ningde  352100, Fujian Province, China;2 Second Department of Orthopaedics, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Fuzhou  350025, Fujian Province, China
  • Online:2010-06-11 Published:2010-06-11
  • Contact: Wang Wan-ming, Chief physician, Professor, Second Department of Orthopaedics, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian Province, China Wangwm93@126.com
  • About author:Li Chuan-jiang★, Master, Physician, Second Department of Orthopaedics, Ningde Munipical Hospital, Ningde 352100, Fujian Province, China Lichuamjiang06@163.com

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: So far, the pathogenesis of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head was still unclear; furthermore, the valid animal model was lack, and the developments of different treatments were based on the animal models, which could simulate the natural pathogenesis course.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of setting up animal models of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head by combining low-dosage methylprednisolone (MPS) with equine serum (ES).
METHODS: Twenty healthy Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. Experimental group was intravenously injected with ES, and another injection of ES was performed two weeks later. MPS was intramuscularly injected at 24 hours after the first ES injection, once a week for 8 weeks in total. Control group was injected with the same dose of saline. Hematologic studies were performed before the first ES injection, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after MPS injection. Meanwhile, other examinations were carried out including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hematoxylin-eosin staining, and transmission electron microscope at 4 and 8 weeks after MPS injection, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with control group, triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the experimental group after 2, 4, and 8 weeks (P < 0.05), but partial thromboplastin time was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). MRI in the experimental group after 4 weeks demonstrated that local signals were changed in some animals and subcortical hemorrhage was observed after 8 weeks. Compared with control group, necrotic bone marrow cell debris was located surrounding bone marrow in the experimental group after 4 and 8 weeks, and blank bone lacuna rate was gradually increased (P < 0.01). Structure of some osteocyte was unclear in the experimental group after 4 weeks, and large vacuoles were observed. After 8 weeks, part of osteocyte had caryorrhexis and caryolysis, apoptotic cells appeared abundantly, and the structure of bone collagen was confused. Combination of ES and steroid significantly increased incidence of osteonecrosis in rabbits and contributed to set up animal models of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.

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