Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

This study investigated the angiogenic response to four varying rates (0.3, 0.7, 1.3, and 2.7 mm/day) of distraction in a rabbit model of leg-lengthening. Immunostaining was performed with use of specific antibodies to type-IV collagen and endothelial cell antigen to examine semiquantitatively the presence of blood vessels in the developing tissues. With use of the Chalkley counting method, the greatest number of positive-staining blood vessel cells was found in the central fibrous zone of the groups that underwent lengthening at 0.7 and 1.3 mm/day compared with any other zone in any group (p < 0.05, t test). There were no statistical differences in the positive labeling indices in the mineralization front and the new bone zone adjacent to the mineralization front in any of the groups. However, the decrease in the number of positive-staining blood vessel cells in the new bone zone distant to the mineralization front compared with any other zone in any group was statistically significant. The results suggest that during distraction osteogenesis, the precursor cells of new capillaries were present in abundance within the fibrous interzone. These cells connected into the capillary network at the junction of the mineralization front and the fibrous zone. The angiogenic response was weaker in the more mature regions within the new bone zones. A slow rate of distraction (0.3 mm/day) did not maximally stimulate angiogenesis in the central fibrous zone, whereas high rates (2.7 mm/day) appeared to impair this response. In this model of distraction osteogenesis, the vascularization process in the central fibrous zone was maximally stimulated at distraction rates of 0.7 and 1.3 mm/day.

Original publication

DOI

10.1002/jor.1100170310

Type

Journal article

Journal

J orthop res

Publication Date

05/1999

Volume

17

Pages

362 - 367

Keywords

Animals, Antigens, Surface, Blood Vessels, Bone Density, Bone Lengthening, Collagen, Immunohistochemistry, Neovascularization, Physiologic, Osteogenesis, Distraction, Rabbits, Tibia