Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (41): 7605-7608.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.41.002

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Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in callus during fracture healing in ovariectomized rats

Liu Zhi-kui 1, 2, Zhang Liu2, Mu Shu-lin2   

  1. 1 Department of Orthopedics, Kailuan Hospital of North China Coal Medical College, Tangshan  063000, Hebei Province, China; 2 Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of North China Coal Medical College, Tangshan  063000, Hebei Province, China
  • Online:2010-10-08 Published:2010-10-08
  • Contact: Zhang Liu, Doctor, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of North China Coal Medical College, Tangshan 063000, Hebei Province, China zhliu130@sohu.com
  • About author:Liu Zhi-kui★, Master, Associate chief physician, Department of Orthopedics, Kailuan Hospital of North China Coal Medical College, Tangshan 063000, Hebei Province, China; Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of North China Coal Medical College, Tangshan 063000, Hebei Province, China lzk1235048@sina.com

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in fracture healing. Researches have demonstrated that ovariectomy affects bone healing, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of histomorphology and the expression of VEGF in callus during fracture healing and to explore the effects of VEGF on fracture healing in osteoporotic rat fracture.
METHODS: Twenty 12-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into sham-operated and ovariectomized groups. Fracture models of rat were established. All rats were sacrificed at 4 weeks after operation. Right femora were removed for radiological observation and for the monitoring of bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The bone callus growth and its histology were examined by haematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression and changes in the level of VEGF were examined by immunohistochemical staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Histomorphological analysis revealed a higher content of soft fracture callus in the ovariectomized rats than that in the sham-operated group. The immunohistochemistry results showed a decrease of expression of VEGF from the osteoblasts in the callus of the ovariectomized rats than that in the sham-operated group at 4 weeks after fracture. The results revealed that lower quality of callus forms during the early period of osteoporotic fracture healing. The decreased expression of VEGF may be a reason of decreased quality of osteoporotic fracture healing.

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