Objective To explore a new method of treating early avascular necrosis of femoral head (AVNFH). Methods Sixty-nine New Zealand adult rabbitswith a mean weight of 2.8 kg after AVNFH presenting were randomly divided into three groups. In group A, deproteinized bone(DPB) combined with the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1/vascular endothelial growth factor 165(VEGF165) was implanted in the drilled channel of the necrotic femoral head. In group B, only DPB was implanted. In group C, channel was drilled without DPB or plasmid implanted. Femoral head specimens were obtained 3 days, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after operation. The expression of VEGF165 was examined by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical techniques. X-ray testedbone formation generally. Angiogenesis and repair of the femoral head were observed by histological and histomorphometric analysis. Results In group A, the expressions of VEGF165 mRNA and protein were detected 3 days postoperatively, reached apex 1 week and lasted more than 3 weeks after implantation. The ratios of IOD of collagen type Ⅰ were 0.29±0.11, 0.55±0.13 and 0.67±0.10 IOD/μm2 respectively at 2, 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively and the ratios of IOD of new capillary vessels were 0.33±0.10and 0.57±0.16 IOD/μm2 respectively at 2, 4 weeks postoperatively in group A, showing statistically significant difference (Plt;0.01) when compared with groups B and D. X-ray test indicated much bone callus formed early. Conclusion Transfection of the VEGF165 gene can enhance local angiogenesis at early stage andDPBVEGF165 compound can improve bone formation. Deproteinized bone combined with VEGF165 gene provides a potential method for therapy of osteonecrosis.
Objective To study the clinical effects of the artificial vertebral body of the biomimetic nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (nHA/PA66) compositefor the structural reconstruction and the height restoring of the vertebral body in the thoracolumbar fractures by the anterior surgical procedures. Methods From December 2003 to January 2006, 42 patients with thoracolumbar fractures received the anterior surgical procedures to decompress and reconstruct the spinal vertebral structure with the artificial vertebral body of the nHA/PA66 composite. Among the patients, there were 28 males and 14 females, aged 1767 years, averaged 43.6 years. The thoracolumbar fractures developed at T12 in 5 patients, at L1 in 17, at L2 in 14, and at L3 in 6. The height of the anterior border of thevertebral body amounted to 29%-47% of the vertebral body height, averaged 40.6%.The Cobb angle on the sagittal plane was 2138° averaged 27.6°. According tothe Frankel grading scale, the injuries to the nerves were as the following: Grade A in 7 patients, Grade B in 19, Grade C in 8, Grade D in 6, and Grade E in 2. Results All the 42 patients were followed up for 625 months. Among the patients, 36 were reconstructed almost based on the normal anatomic structure, and 6 were well reconstructed. The mean height of the anterior border of the vertebralbody was 40.6% of the vertebral body height before operation but 91.7% after operation. And the reconstructed height of the vertebra was maintained. The mean Cobb angle on the sagittal plane was 27.6°before operation but 13.4° after operation. All the patients had a recovery of the neurological function that had a 1grade or 2grade improvement except 7 patients who were still in Grade A and 2 patients who were in Grade D. The implant was fused 35 months after operation. No infection, nail break, bar/plate break or loosening of the internal fixation occurred. Conclusion The artificial vertebral body of the biomimetic nHA/PA66 composite can effectively restore the height and the structure of the vertebra, can be fused with the vertebral body to reconstruct the spinal structural stability effectively, and can be extensively used in the clinical practice.