Application of radionuclide imaging to hepatic impact injury in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and clinical value of radionuclide imaging in hepatic impact injuries in rabbits. METHODS: Rabbits were experimentally impacted on the liver with BIM-IV bio-impact machine. Liver imaging was performed with 99mTc labeled sodium phytate. Liver blood pool imaging was performed with 99mTc-stannous pyrophosphate labeled red blood cells. The results of radionuclide imaging were compared with the anatomic results. RESULTS: There was significant difference between the images of the injured liver and the control. Radio diminution and defect were shown in the injured liver areas. Various sorts of abnormal radioactivity distribution were observed with hepatic blood pool imaging. The results of the liver imaging and liver blood pool imaging were accorded with the results of the anatomic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Radionuclide imaging may well display the changes of hepatocellular structures and functions after injury, which is valuable in locating the concrete injured position and differentiating the injured degrees of liver.

[Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor in fracture healing].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in fracture healing and to investigate the influence of VEGF and VEGF antibody in fracture healing. METHODS: One hundred and five rabbits were used to make fracture model in the left radius and randomly divided into control group, VEGF group and VEGF antibody group. VEGF and VEGF antibody were used in the VEGF group and VEGF antibody group respectively, then the blood flow of the fracture ends was measured by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) 8, 24, 72 hours, 1, 3, 5 and 8 weeks after fracture, the X-ray films of the fracture sites were taken after 1, 3, 5 and 8 weeks to observe the fracture healing. RESULTS: The blood flow of the fracture ends in the VEGF group increased during a period from 8 h to 3 wk after fraction when compared with that of the control group, and no obvious difference was seen on the X-ray films between the two groups. In the VEGF antibody group, the blood flow of the fracture ends decreased obviously when compared with that of the control group. The fracture healing process was interfered seriously and nonunion change was seen in the fracture site. CONCLUSION: The lack of VEGF will interfere with the fracture healing process and result in nonunion in the fracture site. Administration of ectogenous VEGF may promote fracture healing by increasing the blood flow of the fracture ends.