Icariin Promotes Angiogenesis in Glucocorticoid-induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Heads: In Vitro and in Vivo Studies

Overview

Journal J Cell Mol Med

Specialties Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Date 2019 Sep 12

PMID 31507078

Citations 27

Authors

Huachen Yu

Juan Yue

Weiguo Wang

Pei Liu

Wei Zuo

Wanshou Guo

Qidong Zhang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The injury and dysfunction of the femoral head microvascular endothelial cells are associated with the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Reports indicate that icariin (ICA) can enhance vascular roles and also inhibit endothelial cell dysfunction. However, it still remains unclear whether ICA can promote angiogenesis in glucocorticoid-induced ONFH. In this study, we investigate this hypothesis through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results showed that 0.1 mg/mL hydrocortisone significantly suppressed bone microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) proliferation while ICA at 10 mol/L reversed this inhibition. ICA significantly promoted BMECs migration, tube formation, the angiogenesis-related cytokines expression and the activation of Akt. Furthermore, ICA enhanced Bcl-2 expression but diminished Bax expression. According to in vivo results, rats with ICA treatment exhibited a lower ratio of empty lacunae, higher volume of blood vessels and more CD31-positive cells. This study revealed that ICA promotes angiogenesis of BMECs in vitro and improves femoral head blood vessel volume of rats treated with glucocorticoid, suggesting the efficacy of ICA in the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced ONFH.

Citing Articles

Potential efficacy and mechanisms of icariin for the animal model of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Xu J, Deng W, Zhu X, Han D, Zheng Y, Zheng Q Front Pharmacol. 2025; 16:1508971.

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Bioengineering strategies targeting angiogenesis: Innovative solutions for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Zhu W, Xu Z, Zhou D, Xu J, He Y, Li Z J Tissue Eng. 2025; 16:20417314241310541.

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