Effect of Atorvastatin on expression of vascular endothelia growth factor in rabbit avascular necrosis models of the femoral head

Hao PENG; Ruixi LI; Hongsong FANG; Zhe WANG; Jiabing KUANG

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Studies have confirmed that Atorvastatin drugs can increase the number of endothelial progenitor cells significantly in vitro, as well as the content of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effect of Atorvastatin on VEGF expression in necrotic femoral heads of rabbits. DESIGN, TIME AND

SETTING:

The randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, from September 2007 to November 2008. MATERIALS Forty-five male and female healthy New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2.5-3.5 kg were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group and AtorvastaUn group, 15 rabbits in each group.

METHODS:

Nitrogen refrigeration was used to develop femoral head necrosis models of rabbits in the model control and Atorvastatin groups. Two weeks after modeling, the animals in the Atorvastatin group were administered intragastically with Atorvastatin, normal control and model control group were treated with the same volume of normal saline. MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

Each five rabbits were sacrificed at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks respectively for general observation, X-ray and histological observation. VEGF protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry method and VEGF mRNA level was assessed by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction method.

RESULTS:

The VEGF protein and mRNA levels in the model control and Atorvastatin groups were obviously lower than those in the normal control group, while the VEGF protein and mRNA levels in the Atorvastatin group were much higher than those in the model control group at the 8th and 12th weeks alter the treatment with Atorvastatin (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Atorvastatin can significantly upregulate the expression of VEGF, which is probably an effective clinical treatment to avascular necrosis of the femoral head.