Immunohistochemical study of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein-2,-4 (BMP-2,-4) on lengthened rat femurs

Background: With a hypothesis that angiogenesis occurs before osteogenesis, an experimental study using a rat model was carried out. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein-2, -4 (BMP-2, -4) were performed at the margins of bone formation after femoral bone lengthening. Material and methods: Thirty-five Wistar rats weighing 380-400g (11-week-old males) were used. An external fixator was applied on the femur, and an osteotomy performed under general anaesthesia. Five days after the operation, femoral lengthening was initiated at a rate of 0.8 mm/day for 8 days. The rats were sacrificed just after distraction was completed, and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 14 days after distraction. The specimens from these rats were stained with haematoxylin-eosin, VEGF, and BMP-2, -4 immunohistochemical staining, and were investigated. Results: Expression of VEGF was observed in the woven bone at the osteogenetic front and near to osteoblasts around the newly formed bone. On the other hand, expressions of BMP-2, -4 were seen in the hypertrophic chondrocytes. In the same specimen, the VEGF area was further away from the bone stump than the BMP-2, -4 areas. Conclusion: These results confirm the hypothesis that angiogenesis is induced before osteogenesis. (c) 2005 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.