Effect of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor on angiogenesis during mandible fracture healing in rabbits

Objective: To investigate the effect of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor ( rhbFGF) on angiogenesis during mandible fracture healing in rabbit.Methods: Fifty adult white rabbits were used for animal model and randomly divided into a control group (25 rabbits) and an experimental group (25 rabbits). The membranous complex of rhbFGF and bovine type I collagen was prepared and implanted into the rabbit mandible fracture site under periosteum. The animals were sacrificed on 7, 14, 28, 56 and 84 days respectively after operation and the whole mandibles were harvested. The expression of factor Vm related antigen (F8-RA) in callus was examined with immimohistochemical staining.Results: The amounts of microvascular formation in calluses in the rhbFGF-treating group on days 7, 14, 28 and 56 were more than those of the control group (P < 0.01).Conclusions: The results indicated that rhbFGF could stimulate microvascular formation during mandible fracture healing in rabbits.