Calcified tissue international
-
Calcif. Tissue Int. · Aug 2007
Upregulation of VEGF in subchondral bone of necrotic femoral heads in rabbits with use of extracorporeal shock waves.
Extracorporeal shock wave treatment appears to be effective in patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head. However, the pathway of biological events whereby this is accomplished has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of extracorporeal shock waves on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in necrotic femoral heads of rabbits. ⋯ At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the shock wave treatment, MVD in subchondral bone from treated femoral heads was significantly higher than that in subchondral bone from untreated femoral heads. These data clearly show that extracorporeal shock waves can significantly upregulate the expression of VEGF. The upregulation of VEGF may play a role in inducing the ingrowth of neovascularization and in improving the blood supply to the femoral head.