The effects of SDF-1 combined application with VEGF on femoral distraction osteogenesis in rats

Bone regeneration and mineralization can be achieved by means of distraction osteogenesis (DO). In the present study, we investigated the effect of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the new bone formation during DO in rats. Forty-eight Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into four groups of 12 rats each. We established the left femoral DO model in rats and performed a mid-femoral osteotomy, which was fixed with an external fixator. DO was performed at 0.25 mm/12 h after an incubation period of 5 days. Distraction was continued for 10 days, resulting in a total of 5 mm of lengthening. After distraction, the solution was locally injected into the osteotomy site, once a day 1 ml for 1 week. One group received the solvent alone and served as the control, and the other three groups were treated with SDF-1, VEGF, and SDF-1with VEGF in an aqueous. Sequential X-ray radiographs were taken two weekly. The regeneration was monitored with the use of micro-CT analysis, mechanical testing, and histology. Radiographs showed accelerated regenerate ossification in the SDF-1, VEGF, and SDF-1 with the VEGF group, with a larger amount of new bone compared with the control group, especially SDF-1 with the VEGF group. Micro-CT analysis and biomechanical tests showed Continuous injection of the SDF-1, VEGF, and SDF-1 with VEGF during the consolidation period significantly increased bone mineral density bone volume, mechanical maximum loading, and bone mineralization of the regenerate. Similarly, the expression of osteogenic-specific genes, as determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction , was significantly higher in SDF-1 with the VEGF group than in the other groups. Histological examination revealed more new trabeculae in the distraction gap and more mature bone tissue for the SDF-1 with the VEGF group. SDF-1 and VEGF promote bone regeneration and mineralization during DO, and there is a synergistic effect between the SDF-1 and VEGF. It is possible to provide a new and feasible method to shorten the period of treatment of DO.