ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a new method for the therapy of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The recombinant plasmid pCD-rbFGF was mixed with collagen and was implanted in the necrotic femoral head. Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method. Repair of the femoral head was observed by histological and histomorphometric analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Expression of bFGF was detected in the femoral head transfected with bFGF gene, indicating significant increase of angiogenesis 2 weeks after gene transfection and increased new bone formation 8 weeks after gene transfection on histomorphometric analysis (P< 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transfection of bFGF gene enhances bone tissue angiogenesis. Repair in osteonecrosis would be accelerated accordingly.</p>
