Stimulation of bone formation by intraosseous injection of basic fibroblast growth factor in ovariectomised rats

The effect on intraosseous bone formation of a single local injection of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor into trabecular bones was examined in ovariectomised osteoporotic rats. Fibroblast growth factor (400 micrograms), or the vehicle alone, was injected into the ilium at 16 weeks after ovariectomy or a simulated operation. Bone mineral density in the ovariectomised rats increased to a level similar to the latter at 2 weeks and reached a maximum at 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, BMD decreased slowly and the value at 24 weeks was still higher than that in the ovariectomised rats. Fibroblast growth factor stimulated osteoid formation in the first 2 weeks, bone volume reaching a peak at 8 weeks. From 8 to 12 weeks, bone resorption increased, resulting in decreases in bone volume to the levels of the group with simulated operations at 24 weeks. Structural analysis at 8 and 24 weeks showed that ovariectomy decreased the continuity of trabeculae and the injection of fibroblast growth factor restored it to levels higher than, or equal to, those who had the simulated operation. The present study demonstrated that intraosseous fibroblast growth factor given to ovariectomised rats restored bone volume and quality to the levels of the rats who had a simulated operation only.