A rabbit model of hormone-induced early avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
OBJECTIVE
To establish an experimental model of early stage avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) caused by corticosteroid in adult rabbits and to observe the pathological changes with various imaging techniques.


METHODS
ANFH was induced by a combination of hypersensitivity vasculitis caused by injection of horse serum and subsequent administration of a high dose of corticosteroid. The pathological changes were detected with digital radiography (DR), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ink artery infusion angiography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The imageological and pathological changes corresponded to the clinical characteristics of early stage ANFH. DR showed bilaterally increased bone density, an unclear epiphyseal line, and blurred texture of cancellous bone. CT showed spot-like low-density imaging of cancellous bone, thinner cortical bone, osteoporosis, and an unclear epiphyseal line. MRI showed bone marrow edema and spot-like high signals in T2-weighted imaging in cancellous bone. Ink artery infusion angiography showed fewer obstructed blood vessels in the femoral head. HE staining of pathological sections showed fewer trabeculae and thin bone, an increased proportion of empty osteocyte lacunae, decreased hematopoiesis, thrombosis, and fat cell hypertrophy. Immunohistochemistry showed attenuated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in osteoblasts and chondrocytes, and on the inner membrane of blood vessels.


CONCLUSIONS
Experimental rabbit model of early stage ANFH caused by corticosteroid can be successfully established and provide the foundation for developing effective methods to treat early stage ANFH.
Wen
Qian
Q
Institute of Molecular Immunology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China.
Ma
Li
L
Chen
Yan-Ping
YP
Yang
Lin
L
Luo
Wei
W
Wang
Xiao-Ning
XN
D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000633:toxicity*; D011817:Rabbits; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone