Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) on rabbit meniscus injury in the white-white zone expressed higher blood vessels distribution and type 1 collagen bridging post meniscal suturing

Background: Meniscus injury can occur in red – red zone with good prognostic as well as in white – white zone with bad one. General treatment of meniscus injury in white – white is menisectomy. It will destroy the articular surface of the knee joint cartilage. Administration the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) will increase the proliferation of endothelial cells, fibroblast cells, collagen fibers type 1, and good prognostic for the healing of meniscus injury in white – white zone. Aim: The study aims to explore the effect of VEGF on rabbit meniscus injury. Methods: This research implemented an experimental study with randomized post-test control group design which used 38 male New Zealand Rabbits. There were two groups (18 rabbits as a control group and 18 rabbits as treatment one). They were adapted for one week, then control group had a sharp incision and sutured in white – white zone meniscus only, and treatment group had administration VEGF after done a sharp incision and sutured in white – white zone meniscus. In the next three weeks, all rabbits have been euthanized and then examined the meniscus for the expression of blood vessels distribution and the bridging of collagen type 1 by histopathology and immunohistochemistry examination. Results: The average median number for blood vessels distribution after administration VEGF in the sutured white-white zone was about 11.00 (interquartile range 2.00) and without VEGF was about 5.00 (interquartile range 1.00). In the treatment group with VEGF, 18 rabbits (100%) showed bridging collagen type 1, and the control one showed in 6 rabbits (33.33%). An inferential test for blood vessels distribution in white – white zone meniscus between treatment group with VEGF and control group without VEGF was significantly different (p=0.000). Analysis for bridging collagen type 1 between treatment group with VEGF and control group without VEGF showed significant differences (p=0.000). Conclusion: Administration VEGF on rabbit meniscus injury in the post suturing white-white zone expressed higher blood vessels distribution and bridging collagen type 1 compared with suturing only without VEGF.