Experiment on autologous free granular fat transplantation with rhVEGF gene in rats / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of rhVEGF on autologous free granular fat grafts in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, sixteen of each. After the autologous free granular fat transplantation, all groups were treated with the plasmid DNA containing cDNA encoding rhVEGF, the blank plasmid DNA and normal saline respectively as the experimental group, the negative group and the saline group. After 3, 7, 15, 30 days, the rats were sacrificed and the grafts were weighted accurately. Histological pathology was evaluated. Micro-vessel count and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined by immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The weights of the two latter groups were significantly reduced on the 7, 15, 30 day compared with the experimental group. The expression of VEGF and the micro-vessel count in the experimental group were significantly higher than the other two groups during the latter periods.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cDNA encoding VEGF can induce the expression of VEGF in fat graft, angiogenesis and reduce the free fat graft absorption.</p>