Preventive effects of drugs on histological structure and hemorheology of hormonal necrosis of femoral head

Objective To explore protective action of drugs on experimental hormonal necrosis of femoral head. Methods Thirty rabbits were divided randomly into 3 groups: group A, group B, and group C. Rabbits in group A were injected with normal saline; rabbits in group B were treated with glucocorticoid; rabbits in group C were treated with glucocorticoid as that in group B, and meanwhile, orally received the Panax notoginseng saponins, Zhibituo and Alenduonate for 8 weeks. Histopathological structure and blood flow of femoral head were observed. Results Compared with the C group, the trabecula of femoral head of the B group changed to thinner and more sparse, the bone marrow cavity with edema and large fatty cells were also observed. Under electron microscope, B group showed a great deal of necrotic osteocytes with pyknotic nucleus. The empty bone lacune in the B group (24.8±7.62)% increased with the C group (15.2±5.47)%. The bone blood flow in the C group, (0.262±0.092) ml·min-1·g-1, increased compared with the B group, (0.197±0.083) ml·min-1·g-1. Conclusion The Zhibituo, Panax notoginseng saponins and Alenduonate may prevent steroid-induced necrosis of femoral head