The effects of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell arterial perfusion on vascular repair and angiogenesis in osteonecrosis of the femoral head in dogs.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) arterial perfusion on vascular repair and angiogenesis in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

METHODS

Twelve healthy male adult Beagle dogs were randomly divided into two groups: group A (the control group) and group B (the MSCs arterial perfusion group). ONFH animal models were established by hip dislocation and liquid nitrogen. At the same time, MSCs were obtained, cultured and proliferated. After three weeks, arterial perfusion was performed in all animals. Group B was given 1 ml MSCs (5 × 10(6)-1 × 10(7)/ml), while 0.9 % normal saline was used in group A. After four weeks or eight weeks, the dogs were put to death. The changes of main arteries, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF mRNA and microvessel density (MVD) of ONFH were observed. All the data were analysed by SPSS13.0.

RESULTS

In digital subtraction angiography (DSA), after four or eight weeks of treatment, the quantity and diameter of the main arteries of the femoral head in group B were improved, compared to group A (P < 0.05,P < 0.01). Concerning histology and immunohistochemistry, after four or eight weeks of treatment, the expression of VEGF and MVD were significantly higher than that of group A (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). For real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), after four or eight weeks of treatment, the expression of VEGF mRNA in group B was significantly higher than that of group A (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and after eight weeks of treatment, the expression of VEGF mRNA were significantly higher than that of four-weeks treatment in group A (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

MSCs arterial perfusion can promote vascular repair and angiogenesis and then improve blood supply and repair of femoral head.