Abstract
The aim of this study was to accelerate angiogenesis in necrotic bone by combining vascular bundle implantation and fibroblast growth factorβ2 (FGFβ2) administration.
Twentyβfour Japanese white rabbits were evaluated in this study. A portion of a rabbit iliac crest bone was removed as a free bone graft and frozen in liquid nitrogen to ensure complete cellular necrosis. A narrow hole was created in the bone and the graft was placed in the proximal thigh. In group 1, FGFβ2 was injected into the hole at a single dose of 100 ΞΌg, and the saphenous artery and its venae comitantes were passed through the hole of the bone. In group 2, injection of saline into the hole and the vascular bundle implantation was used as a control. Neovascularization around the vessel was evaluated at weeks 1 and 2 after surgery.
Neovascularization was observed along the implanted vascular bundle in both groups. At both 1 and 2 weeks after surgery, the vessel density of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 2. The average length of newly formed vessels of group 1 was also significantly longer than that of group 2 at both 1 and 2 weeks after surgery. Both the vessel density and length were greater in week 2 animals than week 1.
A local single injection of FGFβ2 improved surgical angiogenesis in necrotic bone in this study. As FGFβ2 is recognized as a potent mitogen for a variety of mesenchymal cells, the combination of vascular bundle implantation and FGFβ2 administration may contribute to the treatment of ischemic osteonecrosis. Β© 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.