Preventive effect of erythropoietin on femoral head necrosis in rats

Abstract

Objective To explore the preventive effect of recombinant human erythropoietin erythropoietin(EPO)on femoral head necrosis in rats. Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomly into three groups:blank group, control group, and experimental group.The control group was subdivided into two subgroups:subgroup A and subgroup B.The rats in subgroup A were injected with prednisone acetate 50 mg/kg in the root of the gluteal muscle on every Monday and Friday, once per day for 4 weeks, and those in subgroup B were injected with the same volume of sodium chloride injection of recombinant human erythropoietin erythropoietin(rh EPO,5 000 U/kg)three h before the modeling. Results The empty lacunae rate of hematoxylin and eosin(HE)stained sections in the experimental group, control group and blank group was(14.7±1.78)%,(23.21±2.34)%, and (7.45±1.23)% respectively; At 1st, 2nd and 4th, blood triglyceride content was(1.25±0.32), (1.28±0.26)and(1.27±0.4) mmo/L in blank group,(2.17±0.23),(2.48±0.41)and(1.88± 0.38) mmo/L in control group,and(1.42±0.34),(1.47±0.26)and(1.50±0.49)mmo/L in experimental group; the total cholesterol content was(1.62±0.13),(1.62±0.14)and(1.62±0.19) mmo/L in blank group,(2.41±0.18),(2.52±0.24)and(2.13±0.37)mmo/L in control group, and(1.64±0.18),(1.69±0.24)and(1.66±0.31)mmo/L in experimental group.Histologically, the femoral head surface was more smooth in experimental group than control group.In experimental group, most of the trabecular bones arranged densely and regularly,and shrink,sparse,and fracture were seen in less regions. Conclusion EPO can reduce the empty lacunae rate,increase the microvessels in femoral head blood supply, reduce blood lipid levels,and prevent the progress of femoral head necrosis. Key words: Femoral head necrosis; Erythropoietin