ABSTRACT
Objective To observe effects of BMP-4 gene combined with TGF-β1 in repairing rabbit femur defect resulted from firearm wound. Methods The femur defect was made with firearm steel ball. Plasmid encoded BMP-4 gene identified in vitro and TGF-β1 were injected into the tissue of upper, lower and central parts of the defects at the second week after wound. The mRNA and protein expressions of BMP-4 in vivo were detected by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium content were measured for evaluating osteogenetic ability. The process and quality of osteogenesis were determined by pathological and X-ray examinations. Results mRNA and protein of BMP-4 could continually express for six weeks in vivo after injection. Activity of ALP in the experimental group was increased to ( 13.17 ±0.51 ) U/100 ml at the 8th week, which was significantly higher than (8.77 ± 0.44) U/100 ml in the control group, indicating that osteogenetic ability was markedly enhanced, which accorded with determination of calcium content. Pathological observation and X-ray proved prominent improvement of osteogenesis, with a shorter time and better quality, in the experimental group. Conclusion BMP-4/TGF-β1 can promote repair of firearm femur defect.