[Treatment of early avascular necrosis of femoral head by core decompression and transplantation of human hepatic growth factor gene-modified osteoblasts: experiment with rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of transplantation of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) gene-modified osteoblasts combined with core decompression in treatment of avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH).


METHODS
The plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-hHGF containing hHGF gene was constructed. Osteoblasts were isolated from fetal rabbits, cultured, and transfect3d with the plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-hHGF or blank plasmid pcDNA3.1(+), or used as controls. Thirty-six adult New Zealand rabbits were made into ANFH models, underwent core decompression, and were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A, transplanted with osteoblasts transfected with pcDNA3.1(+)-hHGF plasmid, Group B, transplanted with osteoblasts not transfected with pcDNA3.1(+)-hHGF plasmid, and Group C, injected with PBS medium. 2, 4, and 8 weeks later samples of femoral head were obtained to undergo CT, histological examination, and capillary ink infusion so as to observe the angiogenesis and osteogenesis.


RESULTS
The pcDNA3.1(+)-hHGF transfected osteoblasts showed stable expression of hHGF. The numbers of newly formed vessels of the femoral heads of the group transfected with pcDNA3.1(+)-hHGF-transfected osteoblasts 2 and 4 weeks later were (29.47 +/- 1.64) and (34.02 +/- 1.72)/cm2 respectively, both significantly higher than those of the group transfected with blank plasmid-transfected osteoblasts [(20.61 +/- 1.91) and (25.57 + 2.20)/cm2 respectively, both P <0. 01]. Eight weeks later the numbers of mature trabecular bone and bone marrow of Groups A and B were significantly higher than those of Group C.


CONCLUSIONS
Core decompression combined with transplantation of HGF gene-modified osteoblasts promotes angiogenesis, enhances bone formation, and improves the restoration of avascular necrosis of femoral head.
Dang
Hong-Sheng
HS
Department of Orthopedics, Taihe Hospital, Yunyang Medical College, Shiyan 442000, China.
Pei
Fu-Xing
FX
Shen
Bin
B
Yang
Jing
J
Zhou
Zong-Ke
ZK
Lu
Fang
F
Peng
Wen-Zhen
WZ
D000818:Animals; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D014162:Transfection; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor