A Study of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head Using Danshen Combined with Marrow Stromal Cells In Vitro

Abstract

As avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) has been one of the major problem plaguing the medical profession and Marrow Stromal Cells (MSCs) in orthopedic exploration for recent years, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible chemotactic effect in vitro treated by Danshen combined with transplantation of MSCs in ANFH. The MSCs were extracted from rabbit tibia and femur. The inhibition rate of Danshen in MSCs proliferation was assayed by MTT. Chemokine receptor expression was determined by RT-PCR. Chemotaxis migration was assayed by Boyden chamber. Results showed that high concentration of Danshen injection on the proliferation of MSCs have a certain inhibition rate. Less than 50 μl/ml did not substantially affect the proliferation of MSCs. After treatment with Danshen injection, it can promote chemokine receptors CCR2, CX3CR1 and CXCR4 expression in MSCs. Danshen could significantly promote cell migration after mixed with 50 ng/ml recombinant monocyte chemoattratant protein-1 (rMCP-1) and recombinant stromal cellderived factor-1 (rSDF-1). In conclusion, culture of MSCs can express chemokine receptors CCR2, CX3CR1 and CXCR4 in vitro. Danshen injection can increase the expression of chemokine receptor CCR2, CX3CR1, and CXCR4, which is beneficial to the migration of MSCs. In conclusion, the chemotactic effects of rMCP-1 and rSDF-1 on the chemotaxis of MSCs were positively correlated with the concentrations of rMCP-1 and rSDF-1 and significantly increased combined with Danshen.