Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (20): 3701-3704.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.20.021

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Establishment of an early steroid-induced femoral head necrosis model and determination of Caspase-3 activity

Hu Feng, Zhao Jin-min, Li Xiao-feng, Liang Xiao-nan, Lu Rong-bin   

  1. Department of Trauma and Hand Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning  530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Online:2010-05-14 Published:2010-05-14
  • Contact: Zhao Jin-min, Professor, Chief physician, Department of Trauma and Hand Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China zhaojingmin@126.com
  • About author:Hu Feng☆, Studying for doctorate, Department of Trauma and Hand Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guanxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China hfarena@126.com
  • Supported by:

    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30860285*;
    Guangxi Sicence Foundation, No. 0832112*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that apoptosis in osteocyte had close relationship to the pathogenesis of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis, while the activation of Caspase-3 can act on the other members of Caspase family, lead to protease cascade amplification, and eventually result in apoptosis. However, a report about Caspase-3 participates in apoptosis in osteocyte and early steroid-induced femoral head necrosis remains rare.
OBJECTIVE: To establish an early steroid-induced femoral head necrosis model and determine Caspase-3 activity in osteocyte.
METHODS: The rabbits were randomly divided into the model and control groups. Rabbits in the model group were injected dexamethasone 3 times a week and forcing the rabbits held upright position 1 hour everyday, while rabbits in the control group were injected the same amount of saline. Animals were sacrificed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after operation, and the optical microscope and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the histopathological changes, and p-nitroanilide colorimetry was performed to measure the Caspase-3 activity in osteocyte.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Histopathological changes could be observed under a light microscope at 3 weeks after administration, including increasing of empty osteocyte lacuna, adipocyte hypertrophy and relatively decreasing of mesenchymal stem cells. The percentage of empty osteocyte lacunae in the model group was significantly higher than in the control group at 6 weeks after administration (P < 0.05). Trabecular bone becomes thinner even collapse in model group at 9 weeks after administration. With the electron microscope, morphological changes in bone cells were observed. At 6 weeks after administration, osteocyte Caspase-3 activity in the model group was higher than the control group (P < 0.05). Accordingly, the use of high dose injection of dexamethasone and forcing the rabbits holding upright position can establish an early steroid-induced femoral head necrosis model. The apoptosis in osteocyte depending Caspase-3 may have some relationship to the pathogenesis.

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