RESUMO
Objective:To study the effects of recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor on proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts. Methods: Cell culturing, light microscop, MTT assay and PNPP assay were performed to observe the effects of rhVEGF on proliferation and differentiation of the cells. Results: rhVEGF could stimulate osteoblasts proliferation and differentiation. The maximal effect on proliferation was observed at a concentration of 3.125 ng/ml on the third day. ALP activities in osteoblasts were increased most significantly at a concentration of 12.5 ng/ml. Conclusion: rhVEGF may not only induce angiogenesis to facilitate bone formation, but also stimulate this process in a direct way by inducing proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.